Sub-regional workshop on the role of journalists in conflicts prevention, peacekeeping and the promotion of human rights
Ceremony of giving the WAJA Excellence Award 2008
Banjul, Gambia, October 14, 15, 16
Context and Justification
The sub-region is a conflict-prone zone. In addition, there are examples of conflicts killing or injuring people amongst them media practitioners in the exercise of their trade.
Wars rage more often than not. A conflict raises another one, leading unavoidably to death, poverty and destruction in its wake. Independent and pluralist media can significantly contribute to breaking this vicious circle by fostering dialogue instead of fuelling armed conflicts.
In addition, the correlation between press freedom and economic development has already been established. Access to information favors economic development. Communities are stronger if they get access to information enabling them to make clearer decisions.
Human Rights
The concept of human rights is as old as human history itself. Different civilizations, as far back as the second millennium A.D., have derived some measure of human rights from religious documents, considering such "natural" rights as emanating directly from a superior being. However, enttitlement to those rights was often limited in scope.
The adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948 and other international and regional covenants and instruments guiding specific aspects of human rights are all aimed at setting and building on the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.
In spite of such global efforts, the recognition of the basic rights of all human beings, regardless of their "race, colour, ethnicity, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status" remains far from universal. Often cultural traditions play against full recognition of the basic rights of certain groups of the population. Widespread poverty and lack of public resources often translate into inadequate provision of basic services, not to mention, of course, the many areas in our sub region where wars and internal strife condemn many to a life of despair.
As a specialized institution spearheading associative journalism in West Africa, WAJA will fulfill an important mission if it manages to attract the public’s attention on the vital role of free, independent, and pluralist media in conflict prevention and the building of the rule of law. Also, a free, independent, and pluralist media is essential to the development and maintenance of democracy in any nation, and for economic development.
Objectives:
Building journalists’ awareness on their role in the promotion of peace and human rights;
Improving journalists’ understanding of their role in the preservation of peace;
Drawing up a journalists’ code of good conduct for peace;
Contributing to a reduction in tensions within countries and between sub-regional countries.
Beneficiaries
Beneficiaries are Professionals with several years of practice, interested in conflict reporting, and working as journalists. Professionals from various countries and experienced journalists from the host country will be selected.
Modules
The role of the Journalist in conflict prevention;
Journalists and conflicts (the cases in Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone and Liberia…) ;
Code of Conduct for Peace and Human Right ;
Sources of conflicts (social tensions, elections, inequalities, and discriminations)
Human Rights and Journalism
Can Journalists play their role without good conditions (Collective Agreements)?
The WAJA Charter
The ECOWAS Court of Justice
Role of National Parliaments and the ECOWAS Parliament in promoting peace, freedom (of press) and Human Rights;
Coverage of Sports events by journalists: promotion of peace or incentive to the Conflict?;
1948 -2008: Widening of the themes of Human Rights
The Workshop will be followed by the ceremony of giving the WAJA Excellence Award 2008, which had related to the same topics and whose winners will be among the participants of the Workshop.
For the thirteen years that the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has been monitoring attacks on free speech and expression in West Africa, 2009 was the most regrettable.
For the thirteen years that the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has been monitoring attacks on free speech and expression in West Africa, 2009 was the most regrettable.