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Momodou
Denmark
11828 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Feb 2008 : 21:43:41
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West African Human Rights Journalist Training Kicks Off
By Amie Sanneh
The West African Human Rights Journalist Training opened yesterday at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi. The training is being organized by the African Commission with financial support from the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA). Participants of the training are drawn from West African countries.
The Secretary of State for Communication and Information Technology, Neneh Machdoll Gaye, presided over the opening ceremony.
In her remarks she described the theme of the workshop which is Human Rights and Freedom of Expression as constituting an important ingredient for meaningful development. “To achieve meaningful and sustained growth for the benefit of all and to ensure popular political participation we have to respect the rights of our citizens and encourage freedom of expression,” she said. She noted that fora like this, where journalists from different backgrounds come together, exchange views, share experiences and learn new skills, will no doubt enhance their participation in their noble drive to uphold the principles of human rights.
SoS Macdoul Gaye, quoting from the United Nations universal declaration of human rights described human rights as “the basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled.”
“But we often forget that these rights apply to all and sundry,” she remarked. The role of journalists in promoting these principles, she went on, are both important and crucial. Freedom of expression, she noted, as with any other freedoms, goes with a high sense of responsibility. “Freedom without responsibility could be catastrophic,” she remarked.
She said they will continue to support the International and regional framework for the protection of Human Rights, Justice and the Rule of Law, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“We recognise the media’s role in this and we shall continue to provide the avenue for the media to play its role in promoting human rights,” she added. SoS Macdoll Gaye said the media have an important role to play in the society and their works, coverage, analytic writing should contribute to making this world a better place for all to live in.
Speaking earlier, the Acting Secretary at the African Commission, Dr. Robert W. Eno, said this is the first training on human rights for journalists organized by the African Commission. He expressed hope that this will be a long standing relationship between the African Commission and journalists. The importance of a free press, he said, cannot be over emphasized. He added that the media plays a crucial role in society. He stressed the need for journalists to always check and balance their report. Dr. Eno added that journalists, while reporting on human rights violence, should report about its success. He said the workshop which will end tomorrow will deal mainly with human rights journalism, focusing on the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the work of the African Commission.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 19/2008, 13 -14 February 2008
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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