Human Rights: Journalists Sharpen Reporting Skills

J ournalists have been called upon to make human rights, accuracy and accountability key elements of their profes­ sional practice. The call was made on Monday September 28 in Douala during a one-day capa­ city-building workshop organised by the Douala Chapter of the Ca­ meroon Association of English- Speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ), to mark the International Day for Uni­ versal Access to Information. The training, placed under the theme “Human Rights Journalism: Streng­ thening Investigative Reporting, Ethical Storytelling & Accountabi­ lity”, brought together more than 30 journalists, with particular at­ tention to young and English-spea­ king media professionals. The workshop provided participants with practical tools to identify, in­ vestigate and report human-rights issues. Journalists were reminded that effective reporting goes beyond narrating events. It requires asking relevant questions, identi­ fying the human-rights concerns involved, establishing who is af­ fected and determining the evi­ dence available. The main resource person during the workshop, Philippe Amanye, Regional delegate of Human Rights Commission for the Littoral region, urged journalists to protect the di­ gnity, privacy and safety of victims and vulnerable persons, particularly children and survivors of violence. He cautioned against sensationa­ lism that could expose such persons to further harm. On accuracy and verification, he encouraged journalists to cross- check information, authenticate documents and sources, distinguish facts from allegations and seek the views of concerned pa...