English PDF - East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders ...

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48Journalists on the Frontline of Human Rights Defenceserve the public interest and meet international standards – looking closely at what has beenagreed in instruments like the African Charter for Human and Peoples’ Rights, InternationalConvention on Civil and Political Rights, etc.Conversely, we must help officials to better understand and respect freedom of expression.Government structures should be logical. Media regulatory agencies should be independent.Ideally Governments should separate themselves from involvement in the media. There is need toestablish an independent media body that has legal immunity. Ministries of Information, wherethey exist, should only provide official information. They should not interfere in newsorganizations’ editorial policy.Ways forward to better self-regulation among journalists improving quality of reporting andbetter security in existing working conditions:• Civic or participatory journalism rather than the traditional approach;• Do team work on investigative journalism;• Do not use a by-line when the story is sensitive;• Connect with the audience by doing audience analysis;• Increase issues reporting by focusing on policy and the people;• Training in ethics – know the minimum international standards; know the standards providedin your country’s law for freedom of expression, for Government transparency;• Join professional press associations with aspiration for professional standards and advocacyprogrammes for a more enabling policy environment for our work.WorkshopsThree working groups were formed discussing different aspects of journalistic standards,with the following results:Workshop A: Protection of sourcesExamples of sources:• Government spokespersons• Individuals• NGOs• Politicians including the oppositionWhy and how to protect sources• Sources not to be disclosed: Government officials who are under oath of secrecy,classified information and special cases say rape, defilement or dealing with minorss;• Information from low profile persons and from high profile people ought to beprotected equally.
Conference Report: Resources and Proceedings 49• Need to respect the privacy of sources because it is their right, especially if theinformation in question is not necessarily in public interest;• Violation of a relationship with sources could be costly on the side of the reporter, nexttime the information may not be given;• Sources providing privileged information need to be protected as this can lead theminto trouble;• Information given by minors could traumatize them;• Off the record information could land a reporter into trouble;• Assure sources of their protection by discussing with the editors, make photocopies ofthe documents received – this can work as a secret defence in case of a court case.Workshop B: Ethics and standards on reporting on human rightsNeed to put into consideration:• In most African countries, ethical writing is actually made criminal by the Governmentby using the law to limit journalists;• Importance of objectivity, accuracy and thoroughness;• Importance of style: be aware of the tone used and its implication;• Importance of protecting sources and making sure they cannot be traced;• Always bearing in mind the consequences of an article;• Considering issue of consent in using information, names and pictures;• Thinking about appropriateness;• Respecting existing laws – journalists are not above the law;• Avoiding sensational reporting on human rights issues;• Importance of minding cultural practices and understandings;• Importance of thinking about the purpose of one’s reporting.Workshop C: Ethics and standards of reporting in situations of armedconflict• Basic principles as spelt out above hold true for journalistic work in situations ofarmed conflict but there is need for particular consideration as the difficulty ofsituation makes precautions even more important;• Very important to think about the potential of the media to fuel conflicts: reporting onviolations if not done well could lead to further violence, hence need to recognise theimportance of impartiality and emphasis on fact and tone;• Issue of knowledge and capacity – how to report on abuse etc.
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