Journalists
and African media leaders from the region are meeting this week to
highlight the role of media and journalism in combating hate-speech and
intolerance in the upcoming election campaign.
The
meeting, organised by the International Association of Women in Radio
and Television (IAWRT) and the Ethical Journalism Network (EJN), opens
in Dar Es Salaam today (Tuesday) and comes after fresh regional conflict
with recent terrorist attacks in Kenya and fears of genocidal violence
in Burundi.
The
meeting will involve a workshop at the Peacock Hotel on how journalists
and media can help stop the spread of hateful political propaganda and
will reinforce the Africa-wide campaign,Turning the Page of Hate, which was launched last year in Kigali to mark the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide.
Among
the speakers will be Mohammed Garba, President of the Federation of
African Journalists and Imelda Lulu Urio, from the Tanzanian Legal and
Human Rights Centre.
“This
conference could not come at a more important time for Tanzanian
journalists,” said Rose Haji Mwalimu, head of IAWRT for Tanzania. “Media
here are in the frontline of a struggle for democracy and pluralism. We
have to ensure that we keep a lid on the voices of hate and, at the
same time, give people the right to free speech.”
This
challenging task will involve helping journalists to identify
hate-speech and to lower the temperature of confrontation that often
comes at election time, she said. The journalists and media will be
encouraged to use a special 5-point test for hate-speech that has been
developed in co-operation between media and the United Nations human
rights commission.
“The
violence in recent months inspired by terrorists in Kenya and the
continuing shadows over Burundi suggest that it’s a matter of urgency
for journalists to eliminate the voices of intense hatred and
incitement,” said Aidan White, Director of the EJN. “This meeting comes
only a few months before the hotly-contest general election in Tanzania
when the political temperature will rise and media have to guard against
being used by hate-mongers.”
In
recent years, Tanzania has seen much foul play by candidates from all
parties with hate speech and threats on all sides. There have been
reports of acid attacks, kidnappings and killings. This meeting will
focus on practical actions for journalists to help reduce the level of
confrontation.
The meeting will:
1.
Call upon government and all political leaders to respect the freedom of
the press and ensure that journalists operate in a safe environment;
2. Call on media and journalists to boycott hate speech or any language that can stir violence;
3. Promote ethical standards at all levels of the press, broadcasting and online communications;
4. Call on politicians to ban hate speech in their own ranks;
5.
Call upon citizens to boycott meetings or activities where candidates or
political activists use hateful, violent and discriminatory language to
promote their brand of politics.
6.
Reiterate the need for all media to be aware of legal restrictions,
including the Newspaper Act of 1976 that could see media banned for hate
speech;
7.
Call upon the Tanzanian Parliament to review provisions in the
Statistics Act as well as the Cyber Crime Act which may violate the
freedom of the press as well as the right to information.
“None
of this will be easy,” said Rose Haji Mwalimu, “But this is an
important opportunity for journalists and media to strengthen their role
in ensuring the coming elections are a beacon for democracy and not an
excuse for settling political score by acts of hatred and violence.”
More information:
Rose Haji Mwalimu:rohamu2004@yahoo.co.uk or 0754270856/0655434444
Aidan White: aidanpatrickwhite@gmail.com or 00447946291511
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