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EMMAP

Encouraging the media and minorities to take action for peacebuilding

Duration : March 1, 2022 - February 28, 2024
Countries: Ghana , Senegal , Sierra Leone

What do we do in this program?

This program aims to raise awareness of the links between minority or indigenous peoples' issues and conflicts in Ghana, Senegal and Sierra Leone. It also aims to improve media coverage of conflict dynamics by building the capacity of journalists and journalism students to report sensitively on conflict and contribute to mediation, dialogue and reconciliation through informal education opportunities. We aim to:

  • Strengthen the capacity of journalists and journalism students in target countries to investigate and report sensitively on minority and migration issues relevant to conflict and peacebuilding;.

  • Increase the use of counter-narratives and positive campaigns by journalism and civil society actors, to combat hate speech, incitement to violence and misinformation;.

  • Create a peacebuilding journalism network that will strengthen regional engagement between journalism and civil society actors to exchange reporting and counter-discourse best practices;.

  • Create a peacebuilding journalism network that will strengthen regional engagement between journalism and civil society actors to exchange reporting and counter-discourse best practices;.

  • Increase reporting on conflict issues from a minority or migration angle in West African media, particularly in target countries, to support peacebuilding in the region.

Why are we delivering this program?

The world's longest-running conflicts are fuelled by and fought over ethnic, linguistic, religious and cultural issues. All involve minority groups. Disregard for minority issues lies at the heart of these conflicts, yet despite this, minority rights have been marginalized in the arena of international conflict prevention. An understanding of minority rights is essential for anyone involved in conflict prevention and resolution. Consequently, awareness of the roots of conflict, its consequences, the situation of minority groups, migrants and internally displaced persons (IDPs) is a key element of peacebuilding.

Our consultations identified a weak media capacity in all three target countries to report sensitively on development issues, development aid and conflict.

According to the Global Peace Index 2020, out of 163 countries, the target countries for this program rank at the bottom: 43rd (Ghana), 46th (Sierra Leone) and 47th (Senegal). In all three countries, disputes over election results and demands for political change have led to civil unrest and instability.

Some of our key activities throughout the program include:

  • The organization of three online courses and face-to-face training: (1) for journalists and journalism students on sensitive reporting on minority and indigenous issues, development and conflict, (2) for minority activists on how to effectively bear witness to their experience, conduct advocacy campaigns and engage the press, and (3) for journalists and journalism students on how to apply what they have learned in the field.

  • The organization of national retreats for minority activists to deepen their knowledge of the media through role-playing exercises and experience sharing.

  • The awarding of grants to online trainees, journalists and activists, for their investigative reporting projects developed during the program.

  • The organization of high-level regional roundtables on inclusive journalism for media professionals and editors.

  • The presentation of annual awards for outstanding inclusive journalism on conflict, development, minority and indigenous issues in each country.

  • The organization of a meeting between journalists and activists to exchange best reporting practices and build counter-narratives.

    The establishment of a steering committee to ensure professional oversight of the quality of media products and to mentor journalists and civil society players. The committee will be made up of people with experience and expertise in the West African media landscape.

Who are our partners?

  • Media Platform on Environment and Climate Change(MPEC/Ghana), a civil society organization (CSO) that works to build the capacity of journalists to report on environmental issues and establish platforms for debate, aiming to work closely with government institutions, CSOs and local communities affected by climate change.

  • Social justice networks  (FAHAMU/Senegal), a pan-African organization created in 1997 to strengthen, nurture and work with social justice movements in Africa.

  • The Media Reform Coordination Group (MRCG/Sierra Leone), Sierra Leone's leading media development agency created to strengthen democratic dialogue, consolidate peace and ensure development through professional, independent and sustainable media based on the right to freedom of expression and speech.

Who funds this program?

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This program is funded by the European Union. Photo: Mary Ama Kudom-Agyemang (right), Executive Director of Media Platform on Environment and Climate Change (MPEC) in Ghana, interviews Professor Alfred Oteng Yeboah on biodiversity data for decision-making. Image courtesy of MPEC. This text is translated by Fahamu, from the Minority Rights Group International website (https://minorityrights.org/what-we-do/emmap)

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EMMAP
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  • Opening hours : Mon - Fri : 8.00 - 18.00 hours
  • Office 9, Cité Sonatel 2, Dakar, Senegal
  • +221 33 867 59 11
  • contact@wasafrica.org

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