UNESCO trains journalists on conflict-sensitive reporting
By Julius N. Uma
February 14, 2011 (JUBA) – A total of 18 journalists, drawn from the 10 states of South Sudan have embarked on a four-day intensive training organised by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in the South Sudan capital, Juba.
Marius Lukosiunas, a communication advisor at UNESCO’s office in Cairo, Egypt, said the training, previously conducted in Rwanda, Afghanistan, Kosovo and Haiti, among others, has played a fundamental role in building the capacity of journalists in these post-conflict countries.
“Over the years, it has been UNESCO’s mandate to support journalists dealing with conflict and post-conflict issues. This may also focus on re-building the various media institutions,” Lukosiunas told Sudan Tribune during an interview at Beijing hotel.
Margaret Jjuko, a media consultant said that the media plays a fundamental role as society’s watchdog and the standards of professional journalism should always be adhered to.
She emphasised the importance of self-censorship among journalists, saying media practice should be carried out in accordance with the set codes of conduct and professional ethics.
“The media has the power to make leaders accountable and exercise good governance in accordance with the rule of law. It is looked at as an entity that will bring hope in today’s society settings,” Jjuko said.
Actively operational in Africa, the Arab states, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, UNESCO works to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared values.
The worldwide organisation’s mission is to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information.
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mimi nema
UNESCO trains journalists in conflict-sensitive reporting
the origaniztion need to be evaluated in what ever they do in south sudan last two years ago we were in training that soppose to be for tens states of south sudan in which ,lakes state, Upper Nile and Northen bargezal were not represented i am in juba journalist by professional reporter for Independent news paper and contributor for parliamentaran magazine there for journalists should not just be sellected according nearest they are but according to state level ,even during the referendum training which was sponsor by NPA some of the states were not there just because of lack of evaluation in what ever NGOS DO they just do it according to what they wanted.