By Bernadette Idalu
Participants at the Amplify In-depth Media Conference of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), Lagos, were puzzled today as the Ghanian undercover investigative Journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, through his "TIGER EYE-" documentary production outfit, showed them short clips of his investigative documentaries even as he noted that the perception of an investigative journalist concerning the outcome of his reportage could be much bigger or smaller or at complete variance with the needs of target audience, whom he prosecuted the report to liberate.

Speaking on backlash, the hues and cries of those who benefit from a system of vice and crime despite inherent danger such negative acts pose to societal health or good, he encouraged those interested in this aspect of journalism to possess enough guts with a dose of courage, confidence and resilience to pursue their dream as their passion will sail them through the bad days.

He revealed that due to the risky nature of the job and the constant threat to life, he has to constantly hood his face to cover his real identity as he goes about doing his job around the world.

Pointing to his Nigerian experienced with the exposure and arrest of a fake medical doctor, he stated that the community instead of being happy to be rid of a fake doctor, lamented that the only cheap clinic in their community was closed down.

Fielding a direct one on one question from the Nigerian Observer Newspaper on the way forward, against the backdrop of censored media reports and methods for keying into the funding process for those interested at carrying out investigative reports, Anas stated, "Investigative journalism is not a tea party. It is difficult. It is a hot kitchen. If you don't have the energy you get out.

"Nobody should think that being an investigative journalist and dealing with strong issues in society will leave you free. There will be attacks, there will be legal and physical fights, but, if you keep your focus on, and decide, that people matter, then, despite all these things, you have to stand firm and tell your story as it should be told.

"In society the problem we have is an extreme disease but if you want to belong to the remedy, you have to be extreme to provide a remedy for what we have. Remedies are meant to cure extreme disease. Societal thinking matters in investigative journalism. It is opposite thinking.They blame and judge the journalist that fights for justice "

He stated that investigative journalists are mostly self driven, they get their scoop and mostly seek means to actualize their reports, but, their findings shake society and point the way forward.

Even as the Coordinator of WSCIJ Motunrayo Alaka, welcomed participants earlier to the event, the centre, as part of the 16days of activism against "Gender Based Violence" showed a documentary which frowned at "Female Genital Mutilation" which highlighted stereotypes, myths, inhibitions, misconceptions and emanating health issues which were labeled to be a gross violation of human rights.
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