OHCHR, UNFPA, UNESCO and UNWOMEN in partnership with the CHRAJ of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) have organized a workshop on human rights for journalists from 15 to 16 august.
This activity aims to support media actors to report on human rights and gender issues and prevent hate speech and incitement to violence in the context of elections.
On behalf of Honorable Fatimatu Abubakar, Minister for Information, Mr. Charles Hottor, Director of the research department of the ministry, opened the two-day training program. Also, in attendance were, Mr. Ayeda Robert Kotchani, regional representative for OHCHR in West Africa, Dr. Joseph Whittal, Commissioner of the CHRAJ; and Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, the president of Ghana Journalist Association.
Mr. Charles Hottor in his remarks recognized the critical role journalists play in holding government accountable and advocating for human rights.
He affirmed that “this workshop is timely as we navigate complex challenges in our democracy. It’s crucial for journalist to have the knowledge and skills to effectively report on human rights issues, uphold ethical standards and maintain the trust of the public.”
Dr. Joseph Whittal raised the importance of this meeting to the effect that “this training is therefore important due to the gatekeeping role of journalists in society and the fact that human rights are constantly under pressure across the globe.”
He particularly emphasized that in the context of Ghana “there exist serious human rights concerns which demand our collective action” regarding protection of the rights of vulnerable groups like migrants and sexual minorities.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Kotchani stated that “there is a need to enhance the capacity of journalists to better report and follow up on key human rights developments in the country such as the recent UPR process and engage with human rights mechanisms to promote human rights as well as to address protection issues for journalists but also to prevent hate speech”.
Mr. Kotchani reiterated that the “OHCHR, UNFPA, UNWOMEN and UNESCO are collaborating with CHRAJ to organize this training for journalists in Ghana to strengthen the capacity of media actors around human rights in the context of media freedom, preventing hate speech and incitement to violence” ahead of the next electoral process.
Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, expressed his excitement to be associated to this capacity building workshop because it aligns well with the GJA’s policy objective which is building the capacity of Journalists and championing their welfare.
He said the holding of the activity coincides with the 75th anniversary of the GJA.
He also pointed to the danger of misinformation and hate speech, stating that “in a world where facts are often disputed and misinformation, disinformation and fake news spread quickly, capacity building like this is crucial to equip the media to be able to withstand any shock.”
During those two days’ workshop, presentations were made on press freedom and the protection of journalists in the international and regional human rights systems, how to work with the Special Rapporteurs of the UN and the AU, understanding the Rabat Principles for the prevention of hate speech, on gender and social cultural barriers to women’s empowerment, the role of media in promoting equal opportunity and women’s empowerment and the fundamental norms of gender-responsive media reporting.
Other sessions related to the role of media in elections, preventing violence, gender-based violence against journalists; women and young people in elections. During the final session, participants reflected on key challenges affecting their work, which were recorded for purposes of advocacy with relevant actors.
