UJOSS, partners train 25 journalists in Aweil

The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) in collaboration with UNESCO and UNWOMEN organizations has on Tuesday started a three-day capacity building training for journalists in Aweil Town, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.

The Training’s topics are reporting on constitutional-making process, gender, human rights, ethics, accuracy safety and protection among others.

The Secretary General for the Union of Journalists of South Sudan, Majak Daniel Kuany, said twenty-five journalists are now undergoing the training for the next three days.  He added that similar trainings were carried out in eight State Namely Eastern Equatoria, Jonglei, Western Equatoria, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Upper Nile, Unity and Central Equatoria.

“They are twenty-five journalists in Northern Bahr el Ghazal and it is likewise other States we have been visiting. We started the training in Eastern Equatoria, Jonglei, Western Equatoria, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Upper Nile, Unity and Central Equatoria States.”

The Lakes and Warrap State are the next locations to host such journalists’ capacity building training, added Daniel.

Journalists expressed their expectations to understand more in the workshop. “I would like to know more about the constitutional-making process, conflict sensitive reporting, how should journalists make sure that in a situation where there is eruption of conflict so that he should not incite communal violence,” said journalist Akot.

Another broadcast journalist, Julia Gabriel Jonga, said she wanted to learn much about human rights and journalists’ performances and protection.  “I hope to learn much about human rights, how journalists are protected and how shall a journalist perform among the community.”

Speaking on behalf of donors, Doreen Laboka, the Communication Specialist for the UNESCO, says the agency is committed to support freedom of expression, access to information and media pluralism. She has also wished the journalists do their best to report on constitutional-making process

“Our mandate as UNESCO is to promote freedom of expression, access to information and media pluralism. But part of the work is that we do capacity building for journalists and enhancing skills of journalists in reporting and balance reporting as well,” she said.