KAS-UMDF GTZ

Details

Created on 07 February 2011

1. Training for Journalists as Bearers and Promoters of Human Rights - Training activities for selected journalists and media representatives shall increase their awareness on the rights and duties of journalists and enhance the quality of political reporting. This shall in particular be achieved through promoting the adherence of journalistic codes of conduct and quality standards and through strengthening the independence, impartiality and incorruptibility of journalists.

1a) National Workshop for Journalists, Media Representatives and Human Rights Activists on the Topic Freedom of the Press and Human Rights

A national workshop in Kampala will bring together selected media representatives and journalists as well as representatives of human rights organisations to work intensively on the topic of human rights and freedom of the press in Uganda.

The interactive and participatory workshop combines the following components:
- Stocktaking on the state of human rights in Uganda with specific focus on freedom of the press, freedom of opinion and freedom of information

- Identification of the main challenges for free and critical journalism in Uganda and development of strategies for managing these challenges
- Discussion of the role of a free press for promoting and ensuring universal human rights in Uganda

The results of the workshop will be documented and published online. In addition, the workshop aims at involving the selected participants in the design and conceptualisation of future training activities through participatory methods and group work exercises. A catalogue of objectives shall be adopted which forms the basis for measuring the success of training activities that aim at improving quality standards in political reporting.

Target group/participants:

- selected journalists (Identification/mobilisation through UMDF-networks)

- Representatives of media organisations (e.g. Independent Media Council of Uganda, Uganda Journalist Association, Human Rights Network for Journalists etc.)
- Representatives of Civil Society Organisations (e.g. Human Rights Network Uganda, Coalition for Freedom of Information, Foundation for Human Rights Initiative etc.)
- Representatives of the Uganda Human Rights Commission
1b) 3 Regional Training-Workshops for Journalists on the Topic Freedom of the Press and Human Rights

Based on the results of the national workshop (Activity 1a) a curriculum will be developed with the help of experts which will provide the basis for the implementation of training workshops for selected journalists in three regions (North, East, West) on the topics freedom of the press, freedom of information and human rights reporting.

The content of the workshops covers the following aspects:
- Freedom of the press, freedom of opinion, freedom of information in the national and international context
- Current trends and challenges for free and critical journalism in Uganda
- Strategies for print media and broadcasting stations in handling restrictions for a free press
- The human rights situation in UgandaSituation der Menschenrechte in Uganda: legal framework and practise
- The role of the media in the promotion and protection of human rights
- A human rights approach for political reporting: Basics, ethical standards, methods & techniques

The main focus of the training will be the teaching of journalistic skills which serve a balanced reporting and the adherence of quality standards and codes of conduct for journalists. The methodology will combine theoretical parts and practical exercises (which aim at producing results such as radio reports or newspaper articles).

(In addition, participants will be encouraged to hand in contributions with a human rights focus with regard to the planned option of awarding a Human Rights Journalism Award in 2011.)

Target group/participants:
- selected journalists (Identification/mobilisation through UMDF-networks and local journalists associations)

o Gulu Press Club (GPC - North)
o Ankole Media Club (AMEC - West)
o Eastern Uganda Press Club (EUPC - East)