2024 - JMIC

International Day for Universal Access to information: Public dialogue at Makerere University

taherinima on 2. October 2024

The challenge of “Mainstreaming Access to information and participation in the public sector” was put on the public agenda in a dialogue at Makerere University on September 26th. The Department of Journalism and Communication at Makerere, with support from JMIC, hosted the conference in cooperation with other organizations to commemorate the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI). Participants used the occasion to reflect on the state of information access in Uganda.

The public dialogue drew participants from various sectors including students, journalists, academia, civil society and policy makers including members of parliament. The discussions revolved around barriers to public participation in governance, the role of the media, civil society organisations and academia in improving access to information.

Some of the participants. Photograph: Miriam Najjingo

The Minister for ICT and National Guidance Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, who gave the key note address cautioned the Uganda Police against harassing journalists while doing their work, since it affects the public’s access to information.

“No media practitioner should be harassed by security. No one’s work is superior to others. Security should treat journalists and other people with respect as they do their work”, he said.

The Uganda minister for ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi giving a keynote address during the dialogue. Photograph: Miriam Najjingo

He highlighted the need to create a conducive environment where journalists can work with police without confrontation.

Dr. Ivan Lukanda, a Senior Lecturer at the department of Journalism and Communication who represented the Head of Department, underscored the role of information access in promoting democracy.

“Democracy survives on accurate information which must be accessed. When information access is curtailed, we are curtailing our progress”, he added.

He commended the Journalism & Media International Centre for the continued support to the Department that has enabled them to hold such important discussions.

Some of the audience that attended the IDUAI dialogue. Photograph: Miriam Najjingo

The German Ambassador of Uganda, Mathias Schauer, asked the Ugandan security forces to exhibit professionalism when managing demonstrations, such that they avoid harassing journalists who they work with.

The Senior Superintendent of Police, Donald Muhwezi, said that the Uganda police has been at the forefront of sharing information with journalists which helps the public access to information. He said journalists should also look for information that helps Ugandans to solve their day-to-day problems.

A panel of experts discussing a theme: **Strengthening Public Participation in Governance; The role of CSO’s, media and Academia**. Photograph: Miriam Najjingo

Gilbert Sendugwa, the Executive Director for Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) that co-organised the dialogue with Makerere University expressed concern over the continued public struggle to access information, yet access to information is a fundamental right. He highlighted the need to amend the Access to Information Act of 2005, to meet the international standards.

A 2021-study by civil society organization, Twaweza Uganda, that was presented during the dialogue found that 50% of Ugandans believe that transparency in information access plays a significant role in fighting corruption among public servants, and other wrongdoings.

35 Ugandan journalism students receive training in Access to Information

taherinima on 25. September 2024

By Gerald Walulya, JMIC coordinator – Uganda

The Journalism & Media International Center in conjunction with the Department of
Journalism and Communication, Makerere University, Uganda have conducted a four-day
workshop on Access to Information.

35 students took part in four intense days of learning the skills of getting information for their journalistic stories. Here participants with main trainer Tarjei Leer-Salvesen and speakers Charity Komujjurizi from African Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) and Guy Berger, former head for freedom of expression and media development in UNESCO. Photo: Gerald Walulya

The workshop was attended by 35 final year journalism students from Makerere University, Uganda. The training that started on Monday, 16 th September was concluded on 19th September, 2024.

The main facilitator of the workshop was Tarjei Leer-Salvesen, a Norwegian freelance journalist. He trained participants to understand how different national ATI laws work, and how their differences can be used to a journalist’s advantage. Using examples of his own experience, Leer-Salvesen also took participants through the different digital tools that can be used in accessing information.

Other facilitators included, Dr. Ivan Lukanda from the Department of Journalism and Communication, Edrine Wanyama from Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) and Charity Komujjurizi, Programme Manager, African Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC).

The course provides theoretical, legal and practical training in how journalists can gain access to information, and participants submit their own access requests. Photo: Gerald Walulya.

The trainers enlighten participants on how Uganda’s ATI law works and took them through practical steps of applying for information access in Uganda. The training culminated into filing of information requests by participants.

The workshop was also graced by Prof. Guy Berger, the former UNESCO Director for Policies and Strategies regarding Communication and Information who shared with participants an important background on Access to Information struggles in Africa. Prof. Berger was in Uganda to deliver a lecture on the link between African journalism, big tech, elections and data.

Nakyanzi Eve, one of the participants, commended JMIC for supporting the workshop and the trainers for the new knowledge they gave participants during the training. She said that the acquired knowledge had gone a long way in preparing them for a career in journalism. This was the fifth training in Access to Information that JMIC has supported at Makerere University. A total of 213 journalism students have befitted from such trainings in the last five years.

A step forward by safety training in Amman

taherinima on 14. September 2024

Take a step forward if you use the same password on several accounts! Another step forward if you do not change password once a Month, said Abeer Saady, a recognized international safety trainer affiliated with Journalism & Media International Centre (JMIC).

By: Elisabeth Salvesen

In the very beginning of September 2024, An-Najah University in Nablus together with JMIC at Oslo Met, arranged four days of safety training for Palestinian journalists in Amman, Jordan. Ten women and 4 men participated, all around 20 years old, and soon finishing last year of their journalism- and media education. Most of them also work in Palestinian media based on the West Bank. They live and work in the cities that are in the news just now because of the very difficult security situation; Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarm and Qalqiliya, among others.

Most dangerous country

Palestine has become the world’s most dangerous country for journalists. In Gaza, more than 116 journalists have been killed since 7 October, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Quoting from the 2023 annual country report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), “In the West Bank, journalists are the victims of press freedom violations by both the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli occupation forces.” According to RSF, Israeli pressure has intensified since 7 October, with an increase in arrests of reporters and obstructions to their work.

Comprehensive safety training

The safety training in Amman was a comprehensive course including physical, psychological and digital safety. It included risk assessment in hostile environments, checkpoints, caught in the crossfire, arrests, teargas, surveillance and counter-surveillance techniques. Crowd management, demonstrations and first-aid were also components. So were ethical dilemmas; are you a journalist or an activist? How to deal with children in warzones and catastrophes? Dignity and privacy of victims and victims’ families. To publish or not to publish? The journalist students eagerly discussed with the safety trainer and each other. Practical exercises were an integrated part of the training like for example Grab the Bag exercise. Saady repeated the importance of always having a bag ready and what to include in it. Do and don’t at checkpoints were played as a practical exercise. Some of the students played security forces/police and others were journalists on their way to work. The scenario was very close to their daily life experiences in the West Bank, and many had difficult experiences.

Digital safety

We are journalists, not suiciders, stressed the safety trainer. Identifying risk was a main part of the training. What are your main challenges working as journalists in the West Bank?

Restrictions on movement, attacks, arrests, killings, threats, smear campaigns or harassment at checkpoints like having to undress, listed the journalist students.
And to have your iphone confiscated, hacked or your sources stolen. An expert on digital safety gave a lesson on how to reduce your vulnerability; remember that iphones easily can be tracked, keep in continuously contact with a friend or colleague, change your daily route to work often and change other routines when possible. And be aware of drones.
How safe is your password? the expert asked. Check it on passwordmonster.com and probably you will be shocked and change it immediately.

First aid

First aid assessments were also a part of the training, and the main introduction was held by a medical doctor usually working in Gaza. Very soon he would be on his way back again to Gaza. Most of the young students had got some basic first aid training by the Red Cross. They now learned about using a tourniquet to stop bleeding, how to stabilize the neck and how to move a seriously wounded person. One journalist suddenly started crying and told of her own traumatizing experience working with a journalist team in the West Bank when someone started shooting at them. The next day, probably working all through the night, the safety trainer Saady had found a video of just that situation. Flashbacks are not unusual, and it is quite all right to cry and share your experiences with colleagues, the journalists learned. Debriefing of traumas is important when working in hostile environments. All participants discussed the video and comforted the crying journalist. Another participant had been shot in her leg, and the journalists discussed with the first aid trainer risk scenarios if shot in a leg, an arm or the stomach.

Realistic

The safety training was very realistic. When finished, most of the journalist students travelled back home from Jordan to the West Bank. Two days later, there was shooting at the crossing point from Jordan to the West Bank. This time three Israeli men were killed.

Staying safe is key to telling the next story

taherinima on 4. April 2024

^{By Gerald Walulya, JMIC coordinator – Uganda werald@gmail.com}

Ugandan journalism students trained in safety and security.

Department of Journalism and Communication, Makerere University, Uganda, in cooperation with JMIC, conducted a four-day workshop on safety and security of journalists 25 -28 March, 2024. 66 final year journalism students attended this this edition of the yearly training program supported by JMIC.

Journalists in Uganda face serious safety threats that range from intimidation, physical and psychosocial harassment, arrest and detention on nearly a daily basis. Journalists are regularly targeted by state actors such as the military and the police, and non-state actors such as mobs, politicians and powerful business people who feel threatened by the journalists’ critical reporting. A 2022 report (Press Freedom Index -2022 Uncertain Future for the Media – HUMAN RIGTS NETWORK FOR JOURNALISTS-UGANDA) by a Uganda civil society organisation, Human Rights Network for Journalists, reported that there were 94 cases of human rights violations and abuses against journalists and media practitioners. A recent study (Full article: “I thought You Are Beautiful”: Uganda Women Journalists’ Tales of Mob Violence on Social Media) has also reported surging cases of online harassment of female journalists in Uganda.

The workshop was facilitated by local and international facilitators. Local facilitators included, Dr. Sara Namusoga, a Lecturer at the Department of Journalism and Communication, Culton Scovia Nakamya, a local Television journalist and Mr. Abubaker Lubowa, a photojournalist with Reuters and Nation Media Group and one of the pioneer trainees of the inaugural JMIC safety training in 2017. The local trainers were supported by Abeer Saady, a recognised international safety trainer affiliated with Journalism & Media International Centre.

The workshop covered topics such as online hygiene for journalists, a holistic approach to safety, risk management and safety planning while working in a hostile environment. Local trainers shared experiences of attacks on journalists. They advised participants to always stay in contact with their colleagues and supervisors while reporting in unsafe areas.

The lead trainer Abeer Saady said although the training was attended by many participants, it was very engaging. “The participants were very enthusiastic. The number was big, which was a challenge, but I tried my best to make it interactive. I give exercises so that I don’t only show them, but make them do. The mixture with local trainers was good, because local trainers brought context to the training. A majority of the participants were female, and an important aspect of the training was to speak about gender, and gender specific attacks.”

Participants noted that the training equipped them with the knowledge they require to stay safe while reporting.

QUOTES:

“I found the training extremely valuable. It provided critical insights into the challenges faced by journalists today and offered practical solutions for mitigating risks. The discussions on online and offline security by Culton Scovia were particularly enlightening, and I believe they are so essential for a budding journalist like me.” Kevin Mugabi, participant.

The workshop “was an invaluable experience, offering a comprehensive dive into crucial aspects of journalism. From digital security measures to safeguarding our equipment to navigating the ethical minefield of reporting in conflict zones. Every session was packed with practical insights. Learning how to conduct sensitive interviews with survivors and victims without causing undue emotional distress was particularly enlightening. The facilitator’s engaging approach, using real-life scenarios to drive home key points, made the entire experience dynamic and memorable.” Maxline Kansabe, participant.

«It’s in our nature»- photojournalism workshops in Kathmandu

ellenhof on 29. March 2024

Photojournalism students and photographers from Bangladesh, Nepal and OsloMet have concluded a 6 week long training program in Nepal. Through workshops and field work the 24 students developed their skills in journalistic research, safety training, project development and photographic storytelling. The British Egyptian photographer Laura El-Tantawy (lauraeltantawy.com) contributed as teacher in the workshops.

The participants have worked on stories dealing with freedom of expression, climate change, gender and social issues. «It’s in our nature» is the main title for all the projects.

The students presented their work at the venue Yala Maya Kendra in Kathmandu and the projects will be published in a book and exhibited later in the spring.

The workshops are part of a long term cooperation between Pathshala South Asia Media Institute from Bangladesh (pathshalainstitute.org), photo.circle from Nepal (photocircle.com.np) and Photojournalism at Department of journalism and media studies at OsloMet.