Media can help achieve stability, say African journalists

KHARTOUM, May 5, 2004 (dpa) — African journalists who gathered in Khartoum for a two-day forum on press freedom signed a declaration Wednesday to refrain from perpetrating conflict and provoking racial, cultural or religious hatred.

Journalists and academics from Sudan, Egypt, Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia discussed the importance of engaging the media in efforts to achieve stability in the region.

The issue of press freedom in Africa was addressed in detail at the forum which was held under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The gathering rejected any legislation that aims to undermine the basic freedoms or rights of journalists.

It rejected all oppressive practices by certain governments against media personnel and further condemned harassment of journalists.

The forum also condemned discrimination against female journalists and urged women to go for high level positions in the industry.