Journalist and Fact checker, Juliet Buna, has once again demonstrated her dedication to spotlighting issues affecting women and girls by emerging as one of the biggest winners at the 2024 Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) Media Excellence Awards, held on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.
The Crest FM journalist claimed three prestigious awards, cementing her reputation as a dedicated and impactful reporter.
Her investigative piece, “Culture of Silence: How Fear Obstructs Justice for Survivors of Sexual Abuse in Ondo Schools,” was recognized as the runner-up in the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Reporting (West Africa) category.
The story highlights how the culture of silence shields perpetrators and denies justice to survivors of sexual abuse, particularly minors.
The investigation initially gained momentum after parents consented to interviews with their children, but progress was hindered when victims withdrew due to threats. This challenge explains the pervasive issue of fear and intimidation faced by survivors.
According to UNICEF, six out of ten Nigerian children experience violence, with one in four girls and 10% of boys being victims of sexual abuse. Yet, fewer than five percent of these children receive any form of support. Buna’s work sheds light on this grim reality, with a call for systemic change.
In addition to her recognition for investigative reporting, Buna received the Best Fact-Check Award for her exceptional work during the 2024 Kwame Kari-Kari DUBAWA Fellowship. Her winning story, “Unmasking Facebook Users’ Diabetes Cure as a Scam,” exposed a fraudulent online scheme preying on unsuspecting individuals seeking diabetes treatment.
Buna was also named the Best Fellow of the Kwame Kari-Kari DUBAWA Fellowship, having produced 19 fact-checks during the fellowship.
While receiving her awards, Buna expressed gratitude and dedication, stating that she is “deeply honored by this recognition from CJID. It reaffirms the value of our work and motivates me to continue telling stories that matter. I am especially thankful to African Women in Media (AWiM) for supporting this project and to Crest FM for providing a platform for my growth”.
Buna, who won the Nigeria Union of Journalist’s Best investigative journalist and Best Broadcast Journalist of the year, (TV Category) in Ondo state in 2022 and the Primus Media Best Reporter, SouthWest earlier this year is committed to amplifying issues of sexual and gender based violence, and also reporting the health challenges of underserved communities across Nigeria.