Ejeh Praises Media's Role in Shaping Public Opinion

Omodele Ibitiye Ejeh, the Executive Director of the Initiative to Resist Institutional Slavery and Exploitation (IRISE), commended the media for its significant role in shaping public opinions and social norms at a two-day media roundtable held at Perfecto la Villa Hotel, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos, on September 10, 2026. Ejeh described the media as "prophets" whose work profoundly impacts ordinary people's lives.

She emphasized the importance of training media personnel to ensure evidence-based and stigma-free reporting on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The roundtable aimed to review progress since a February training and identify gaps in media coverage.

IRISE conducted baseline research assessing major media houses' reporting on these issues, focusing on tone, data sources, and stigma presence. Ejeh highlighted concerns about contradictory visuals in reporting and unconscious bias among journalists, urging for more professional, research-backed journalism.