Over twenty journalists convened at the Peace Museum Hall in New England Ville to engage in a specialized training session arranged by the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) on "Human Rights-Based Approach to News Reporting."
During the training, journalists immersed themselves in an array of topics, including an introduction to human rights education, human rights and court reporting, reporting on gender-based violence (#SGBV), human rights and elections reporting, political incident reporting from a human rights perspective, and the role of journalists in social media reporting.
Secretary-General Alhaji Manika Kamara of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) conveyed gratitude to the HRCSL on behalf of the organization for facilitating the enlightening training. He emphasized the significance of incorporating human rights considerations into journalism, highlighting the pivotal role of the media in promoting peace and development within society.
Addressing the attendees, Chairperson of HRCSL, Mrs. Patricia Narsu Ndanema, emphasized the symbiotic relationship between the Commission and the media, recognizing journalists as invaluable allies in enhancing human rights awareness. She stressed the importance of accuracy in reporting, citing instances where misinformation had the potential to incite chaos.
Mrs. Ndanema implored journalists to remain abreast of local, regional, and international human rights laws and instruments to bolster their reporting capabilities. She underscored the Commission's commitment to monitoring media coverage of human rights violations and encouraged journalists to provide comprehensive updates on the progress made in addressing such issues.
The training concluded with the ceremonial presentation of Certificates of Participation to the journalists, symbolizing their heightened comprehension of and commitment to incorporating human rights principles into their journalistic endeavors.
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