UNESCO to Support Training of Journalists on Peace and Conflict Sensitive Journalism in Rwenzori Region in Uganda

UNESCO will support the Rwenzori Media Development Foundation (RMDF-Uganda) to strengthen capacities of 80 journalists and 20 social media influencers on peace and conflict sensitive journalism and on responsible use of social media platforms from 23 to 24 May 2022 in Fort Portal City, and on 26 to 27 May 2022 in Kasese District in Rwenzori region in Uganda.

The workshop aims at equipping community journalists with requisite knowledge and skills on conflict sensitive reporting thus enable them to be able to integrate principles of Peace Journalism into media content in Uganda. It will also enable creation of awareness to community members comprising of social media influencers/opinion leaders, on the use of social media platforms to mitigate conflict in the region.

The training workshop will create awareness for an objective reporting of issues devoid of fanning the flames of conflict in Rwenzori region in Uganda. At the workshop, participants will explore what conflict is, the sources of conflict, stages, effects, the role of the media in conflict, conflict analysis tools, gender and conflict reporting, and strategies/principles of conflict sensitive reporting.

At the end of the workshop, it is foreseen that the journalists will have:

1. Clear and deepened understanding of causes and sources of conflict in Uganda;
2. Broadened view of role of media in conflict;
3. application of conflict sensitive reporting principles and strategies for improved reporting and connection with audiences;
4. Ethical implications of conflict sensitive reporting and
5. Programming and production of quality conflict transformation stories in Uganda.

The training workshops will target broadcast, print and online reporters, announcers, and media house managers, and community social media opinion leaders drawn from Kasese, Fort Portal, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu, Kamwenge and Ntoroko districts in Rwenzori Region in Uganda.

This project is supported by UNESCOs International Programme for the Development of Communication, the only multilateral forum in the UN system designed to mobilize the international community to not only discuss and promote media development but also seek an accord to secure a healthy environment for the growth of free and pluralistic media in developing countries.