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.
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.
The Department of Communication & Digital Media at An-Najah National University organized a closing ceremony for the workshops carried out at the university campus on Wednesday 30th November 2022.
At the ceremony, certificates were given to the 69 students participating in the workshops, and prizes were also given to the students who made remarkable journalism works.
Participants in the workshops holding their certificates (Photo: Roea Zebin)
The workshops dealt with three topics: the first was entitled “The Flow of Global News Stream on Social Media concerning Environmental and Climate Issues“. The second workshop was regarding “The Investigative Reporting on Corruption“, while the third workshop dealt with the issue of “Access to Information“.
Students from An-Najah National, Arab American, Hebron, and Palestine Technical (Kadoorie) universities have participated in the third workshop, where the competing students prepared media materials in the field of access to information including press reports, videos, and posters.
Regarding the “investigative reporting on corruption” competition, the students produced a set of journalistic investigations that dealt with corruption issues, used research tools to collect data, analyzed and discussed them, and put forward possible solutions to those issues.
A set of works produced by students, short films and posters in particular, were presented.
Dr. Farid Abudheir declaring the results of the competition of the media production (Photo: Sameh Abu Alrub)
The ceremony was attended by Dr. Farid Abudheir, Coordinator of Joint Projects with JMIC at Oslo Metropolitan University, Dr. Hussam Abu Diya, Dr. Abdeljawad Abdeljawad, Mr. Ayman Al-Masri, Dr. Islam Halayka, Dr. Said Shahin, Head of the Department of Media at Hebron University, and Ms. Ramz Bsharat from the Arab American University.
Trainers and judges honoring one of the students who participated in the workshops (Photo: Sameh Abu Alrub)
Dr. Farid Abudheir has praised the participation of the Palestinian universities in the “Access to Information” workshop. He also stressed the importance of the three topics addressed by the workshops, especially in raising awareness of the issues of access to information, corruption issues, and environmental and climate issues. Besides, he considered that these workshops were aimed at spreading awareness of these issues and enhancing the student’s abilities to address them using media tools.
Not to mention, Dr. Abudheir thanked An-Najah National University including its administration and departments that helped in making these workshops a success. He also thanked JMIC at OsloMet, which supported the projects implemented by the Department of Communication and Digital Media at An-Najah National University. The meeting was concluded by taking group photos of the participants.
The Department of Communication & Digital Media at An-Najah National University in Nablus in Palestine organized “Access to Information“ Conference at the University on Monday 7 November 2022 in cooperation with JMIC.
This is the Fourth time The Department Organizes a Conference on Access to Information at their University in commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information declared by UNESCO in 2016.
Many of the participants. (Photo: Aseel Kilani)
The conference was attended by Mr. Nasser Abu Bakr, president of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, Mr. Nasser Jawabreh, Director of Ministry of Information Office in Nablus and Mr. Ruben André Johansen, First Secretary of Political Affairs at the Representative Office of Norway to the Palestinian Authority.
Professors and students from Birzeit University, Palestine Technical University (Khadoori), Hebron University, Arab American University, as well as a number of Palestinian Journalists participated.
The participants called for the adoption of Access to Information law in Palestine, as it is a legal guarantee to protect the citizens’ right to knowledge, and the right of a journalist to obtain the information needed to develop democratic participation and achieve sustainable development in society.
The conferees also called for the development of effective mechanisms to spread the culture of access to, and use of, information, and the removal of all obstacles that prevent citizens from knowing what is happening and what decisions are being made regarding public affairs.
Besides, conferees warned that the blocking of information opens the way for the spread of rumours and hate speech. It also destroys one of the important bases in building a democratic society that protects human rights and establishes the principles of transparency and integrity in society.
Ms. Muna Hawash, Head of Communication & Digital Media & Radio and Television Departments, opened the conference by stressing the importance of Access to Information, considering that information is the basic element for a journalist. She considered that this principle is the cornerstone of journalism, and that the citizens’ right to know is a human, moral and legal right.
Dr. Farid Abu Dheir, coordinator of joint projects with JMIC/OsloMet, highlighted the cooperation, which extends to 23 years. He praised the activities and events that were carried out during those years and the benefit that was reflected on the participating students.
Farid Abu Dheir to the left. (Photo: Aseel Kilani)
Dr. Abu Dheir explained that the conference aims to integrate the concept of Access to Information in media materials and school curricula, and to seek the adoption of an exclusive law that protects the citizens’ right to knowledge.
Nasser Abu Bakr, president of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, emphasized that the syndicate exerts all efforts to ease the work of journalists and guarantee their right of Access to Information. He pointed to the challenges imposed by the Israeli Occupation on journalists, especially preventing them from covering events and violating journalists’ rights to cover events, in order to block Palestinians Access to Information.
Nasser Jawabreh, Director of Ministry of Information office in Nablus, explained that the Israeli Occupation is the biggest challenge for Palestinian journalists, making Access to Information an arduous issue.
For his part, Mr. Johansen at Norwegian Representative Office, expressed his gratitude for participating in the conference at An-Najah University in Nablus which witnessed harmful Israeli restrictions on the movement of the population, as today’s talk is about human rights, including freedom of movement.
Mr. Johansen stressed that the Norwegian government is proud to support the cooperation between An-Najah National University and Oslo Metropolitan University. He also mentioned that Access to Information is the key to the improvement of human rights globally.
Ruben André Johansen, First Secretary of Political Affairs at the Representative Office of Norway to the Palestinian Authority. (Photo: Aseel Kilani)
He pointed out that although all countries of the world pledge the citizens’ right to access information, many countries impose laws restricting this right. In addition, he stressed the importance of Access to Information in avoiding false information to which journalists are vulnerable. He also mentioned the protests taking place in Iran to activate this right.
Mr. Ruben concluded his speech with stressing on the importance of human rights in light of the Israeli occupation attacks, and praised 7amleh Foundation, which tirelessly works to preserve human rights. “I am sure that this conference will succeed,” he said.
Many of the participants. (Photo: Aseel Kilani)
In the second session of the conference, Dr. Saeed Shaheen, Head of Media Department at Hebron University, Dr. Islam Halayqa, Lecturer at the Department of Radio and TV at An-Najah National University, Mr. Emad Al-Asfar, Director of Media Development Center at Birzeit University, Ms. Kholoud Assaf, News Editor-in-chief of the Palestinian Wafa News Agency and Mr. Mohammed Daraghmeh, Correspondent of Elsharq TV, made presentation on experiences regarding Access to Information in Palestine.
The speakers stressed the importance of Access to Information as the main pillar of media work, and an urgent need for citizens in their private and public life. The participants called for not succumbing to the information-blocking policies imposed by governments and public and private institutions, and the need to seek information. Mr. Emad Al-Asfar pointed out that the existence of investigative journalism in developed countries proves that withholding information is a practice that is carried out in all countries of the world, including the Western world.
The students had their own session. (Photo: Aseel Kilani)
The third session was dedicated to young media students at An-Najah, Birzeit, Palestine Technical University (Khadoori) and Hebron universities. The session was moderated by Laith Hasson and Dana Al-Saifi from the Department of Communication & Digital Media at An-Najah National University. As the above mentioned universities were represented by Roaa Khuffash, Loard Hadeed, Dareen Hamd, and Raed Al-Sharif respectively.
The participants stressed the importance of Access to Information for young journalists and the need to remove all obstacles to the journalist’s work that prevent them from doing their job professionally and effectively.
The Chief Executive of Journalism & Media International Centre, Oona Solberg last week held a productive engagement with representatives of the Department of Journalism and Communication, Makerere University in Uganda.
The two representatives included, Dr. Aisha Nakiwala Sembatya, the Head of the Department of Journalism and Communication and Dr. Gerald Walulya, the coordinator of JMIC activities in Uganda and a Lecturer at the same institution.
The two were in Oslo to participate in the 8th International Conference on Safety and Security of Journalists that is celebrated every at Oslomet in commemoration of the International Day to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists.
Dr. Gerald Walulya to the left, Dr. Aisha Nakiwala Sembatya in the center and to the right Ellen Hofsvang, who is taking over as Project leader of JMIC in 2023 (Photo by: Oona Solberg).
The discussions focused on the evaluation of the five activities JMIC and the Department of Journalism and Communication have implemented in Uganda this year and plans for the next year.
These activities included two trainings; one focusing on the safety and security of journalists and the other focusing on Access to Information. The other activities included organising a Rig on Press freedom and the celebration of the World Press Freedom Day on May 5 and the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) on September 28.
Dr. Nakiwala commended the support that the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has given to her Department through JMIC. She said that her university remains committed to working with JMIC and Oslomet to further improve the skills and knowledge of journalists and journalism students in Uganda.
JIMC Chief Executive, Oona Solberg commended the team from Makerere University for the effective utilisation of the support they receive from JMIC.
Since 2017, JMIC has been working with the Department of Journalism and Communication, Makerere University in Uganda, to train journalists and journalism students in key emerging journalism challenges such as safety and security of Journalists and Access to Information.
The cooperation between the two institutions has also focused on raising awareness on matters of press freedom and human rights through commemoration of important days such as the World Press Freedom Day and the International Day for Universal Access to Information.
12:00 Intro by students and podcasters Thomas, Åsta, Stine
12:05 Video greeting from Rector at OsloMet
12:10 Jordan Gass-Pooré from CNN and WADUP:
WADUP a Mentorship Program and a Solution for a Global Journalist Model during Crises?
Jordan Gass-Pooré Jordan Gass-Poore’ is a CNN soundproducer. She is an expert on podcast production and investigative journalist with more than a decade of experience in the industry in the US and UK. Jordan is the co-founder of the women-led local news podcast, Local Switchboard NYC. She is also a story coach with WADUP, an international storytelling collective run by young people and creative producers. An alumna of City, University of London’s investigative journalism program, Jordan co-founded the campus radio station, Carrot Radio.
4. 13:00 Craig Templeton from The Guardian Masterclass
Craig Templeton Craig is an audio journalist, documentary maker, radio producer and the co-founder of Tempo & Talker. For nearly 20 years he has made audCio content for BBC Radio – and managed audio projects for The Guardian, The Economist and the Royal Society of Arts. He has also produced podcast series for some of the biggest bands to come out of the UK, including Pink Floyd, Oasis, and Joy Division/New Order. His documentary work for the BBC covers a broad range of subjects. Amongst others a programme made during the first UK lockdown on the consequences of our response to Covid-19. Craig once spent an afternoon in Woody Allen’s private screening room in Manhattan. He seemed very tired.
5.14:00 Jo Healey from BBC
Interviewing During Trauma – The Need for Sensitivity During Crises
Jo Healey Jo Healey has covered people’s highly sensitive stories for more than thirty years. She was a reporter for newspapers and radio before moving to BBC TV, becoming a senior news journalist. There she devised and introduced Trauma Reporting training for journalists. She is the author of Trauma Reporting, A Journalist’s Guide to Covering Sensitive Stories. The founder of Trauma Work, Jo now trains journalists and media teams all over the world in how best to work with victims, survivors and vulnerable interviewees. (website: www.traumareporting.com)
6. 15:00 Aryana Noroozi Pulitzer Prize Fellow
Covid-19 up-close – visual storytelling during times of crisis
Aryana Noroozi Aryana Noroozi is a visual storyteller, photojournalist, and digital artist who earned her master’s degree at The Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. Her work has been featured in the San Diego Union-Tribune and the Los Angeles Times. Aryana worked as a Migration and Refugee Fellow at The GroundTruth Project where she discovered her passion for solutions- journalism. Aryana utilized this reporting along with documentary photography to cover education within and the representation of San Diego’s refugee communities during COVID-19. Most recently, her photography and writing focus on overcoming the odds of addiction in the American Midwest.
7. 15:45 Conclusion – a Global Goodbye by OsloMet students: Thomas, Åsta & Stine
Journalists from Morocco, Algeria, Libya and Tunisia logged in to attend a eight month course in access to information 8 April.
Under the headline Supporting the Right to Information and Investigative Journalism while Fighting COVID-19 in the Maghrebthe training was organized by Article 19 MENA.
Ambassador Youssof Ghafoorzai and Rector Curt Rice sign a letter of intent on cooperation between Kabul University and OsloMet.
OsloMet has signed a letter of intent with Kabul University in Afghanistan on cooperation in research and education. On February 2, Rector Curt Rice and Afghan Ambassador Youssof Ghafoorzai signed a Memorandum of Understanding between OsloMet and Kabul University. The Rector of Kabul University was also present online.
Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide greeted Rector Curt Rice (Photo: Thomas Johnstone
The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide came to OsloMet to open the seminar A right to know. How can we ensure reliable information in times of crisis?Thursday 2 October 2020.
