PUNCH journalist wins maiden Reporter Slam Nigeria contest

Punch journalist Adetutu Sobowale has claimed first place in the 2026 Reporter Slam Nigeria contest, using her winning presentation to shed light on the difficulties journalists encounter while reporting breaking news in the digital age. The event, held at the Alliance Française in Lagos, brought together media professionals and journalists from across Nigeria.

Sobowale's presentation focused on her personal experience as a journalist who reported on a sensitive story involving Nigeria's relations with the United Arab Emirates. She detailed how her story was later labeled as "fake news" by a government aide, leaving her feeling embarrassed and concerned about the consequences of reporting information that was later disputed.

Sobowale, who won the contest with a combined score of 119.90, said she was both confused and excited by her victory, as she had never spoken before an audience in this manner. She emphasized the importance of sharing the stories behind journalists' bylines and headlines, in order to reveal the often unseen struggles of those working in the field.

The Reporter Slam Nigeria initiative, organized by PUNCH Videos, aims to rebuild public trust in the media by providing audiences with insight into the work behind news reports, as well as to highlight the difference between reporting and storytelling in the digital age.