MEDIA21 Human Rights Workshop for Journalists

Geneva (Switzerland), 3 - 7 May, 2010

Introduction

Media21 Human Rights Workshops (HRW) intends to enhance and deepen the journalists’ understanding of human rights principles and protection mechanisms.  Through this workshop journalists will be provided with relevant information, including human rights definitions, legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms, and with the necessary means to detect human rights violations and address relevant bodies for their necessary actions. Under international human rights treaties, States are responsible to respect, protect and fulfill obligations including prosecuting those responsible for human rights violations. Therefore, journalists will learn how to utilize these tools to detect human rights abuses, report on actions taken by the governments to hold abusers accountable and so contribute in ending the impunity for human rights violations. Considering the profile of the countries under UPR review in May, Media21 decided to give special consideration to human rights in post-conflict and reconciliation processes and the role of the media. Media21 decided to organize the workshop in conjunction with the session of the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodical Review (UPR) to offer journalists the opportunity to cover presentations, discussions and recommendations made during the UPR of their respective countries but also to interact with global players active in the field of human rights. During this workshop we anticipate the participation of journalists from Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Turkey, Armenia and Belarus.

Programme Objectives

Media21 is designed to enhance broader public awareness of human rights issues through better coverage worldwide, but also more effective interaction between the media and important information resources such as donor governments, United Nations agencies, NGOs, the private sector, academics and other specialists.  Media21 is ideally located in Geneva, Switzerland with direct access to global experts to serve as panellists for each session. The main objectives are:

·         Increase the visibility of UPR Exercise including its reports, discussions and recommendations

·         Empower Journalist on human rights monitoring and quality reporting

·         Increase the public awareness on human rights and build a stronger civil society in developing countries

Programme Activities

Media21 organizes and chairs panels during the HRW selecting panellists among the most experienced and knowledgeable human rights experts (with relevant experience conflict resolution and reconciliation) from the Academy, Media, United Nations Agencies (OHCHR) and International Non-Governmental Organizations (TRIAL and FIDH).  This are some of the usual panelists contribution to the HRW : Yves LADOR, Consultant to International Organisations, Rupert COLVILLE, OHCHR, Philippe DAM, Human Rights Watch, Eric SOTTAS, World Organisation against torture (OMCT), Philip Grant, Track Impunity Always (TRIAL), Koenraad Van Brabant, INTERPEACE, Priscilla HAYNER, International Center for Transitional Justice, Lina  NYKANEN-RETTAROLI, UNAIDS, Human Rights Sectio, Machon LUKAS, International Commission of Jurists (ICJ). Ad hoc panels (with journalists from concerned countries only) will be organized to discuss case studies on human rights in post-conflict and reconciliation contexts.  In addition, Media21 facilitates the interaction between the visiting journalists and their respective permanent missions. In the past, chiefs of permanent missions to the UN and ambassadors opened their doors to Media21 for a candid dialogue and this proved to be valuable in suggesting story ideas to visiting journalists.

The journalists will attend the UPR sessions, including the one of their concerned country, and take part to press conferences and side events according to their interests. Senior journalists from Media21 conduct editorial meetings everyday to brainstorm on story ideas and on how to develop them.  During this brainstorming meeting, journalists are encouraged to share their ideas and experiences with the rest of the group.  

Media21 also helps them de-jargonise human rights treaties and indentify key concepts for monitoring and reporting. each country’s dossier on human rights is prepared thoroughly, including relevant sources and contacts for future use.

The workshop is open to middle-career journalists. The working language is English. Journalists will be provided temporary accreditation to the UN while in Geneva. Media21 has so far organised more than ten human rights workshops in Geneva and strongly believes that the workshop represents an opportunity for journalists not only to take but also to give by sharing country specific information and personal experiences.  

Financial contribution

The fellowship programme offers journalists grants which include tuition fees, flight ticket, accommodation and daily allowance, visa fees and insurance. The grant will not cover vaccination costs and travel to nearest international airport. The amount of the grant varies from CHF 6’000 to CHF 7’500 depending on travel costs and duration of the stay. Media21 welcomes journalists sponsored by their own organizations or other donors. For this workshop we also expect to receive contributions from Swiss SDC Office, Finnish Foreign Ministry,  Norway and Geneva Canton.

Expected Results

Throughout the workshop and at the end of it, participating journalists will produce articles and reports (see articles of the previous workshops)  for their own media,  as well as they will contribute to the production of a special issue of “On Assignment”, earlier called Human Rights Bulletin.

Sustainability of the Project

Following the workshop, journalists will be included in the Media21 network and will be part of a regular exchange of information on conferences, articles and any other relevant information on human rights. Journalists articles will be published on the Media21 website and follow up field visits could be arranged upon request to report on special human rights related issue.

Contact Persons

Francesco MOSCHETTA,  Project Manager, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ekaterina KASYMOVA, Project Assistant, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it