Engaging the Media in Human Rights

New Tactics — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:58:47 -0600

Featured Dialogue: Engaging the Media in Human Rights

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Why Should we Engage the Media?

Journalists and Human Rights Education

Tactics and Strategies for Engaging the Media

How to Engage the Media

General Resources Mentioned in the Dialogue


Alan Davis, Institute for War and Peace Reporting, development and programme work in Asia.	Mufuliat Fijabi, is a Senior Programme Officer with BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights in Nigeria.	Philippe Duhamel, a Canadian, writes the interTactica blog on the New Tactics website.
		For more biographical information on our featured practitioners.
Davinder Kumar, Human Rights Journalist, London.	Sharon Lamwak, the Advocacy and Communications Officer for ACTV, Uganda.

Intro

The media, at least in our highly mediated/industrialized societies, is one of the pillars of power. That's why we need to become skilled at engaging journalists and news editors in giant media corporations, and alternative grassroots information outfits alike.

We need to be interested in "engaging" the media not just as another constituency with some influence, but because it is one of the ESSENTIAL levers of power. The media is integral to civil society. The media -- and this may be a worldwide phenomenon -- bolsters or undermines progress. It makes or breaks regimes. It fosters, or undoes, a culture of respect for human rights.

Failure to impact the media, or at least bring some measure of control over hateful radio propaganda for instance, has been shown to imperil human rights from poor inner city ghettos in America, to the farthest reaches of bloodied African hills. Likewise, triumphant press campaigns through media-savvy efforts that have come to the righteous defense of victims of injustice and abuse around the world, improving and saving thousands upon thousands of lives over the last decades.

So while the media has made us realize we live in a global village, the views it carries can build, or destroy, each of our own individual huts.

In the age of the all-pervading "Branding", billionaire public relations firms and mass manufactured opinion, the media holds a measure of social power that just can't be ignored. That is why indeed, now more than ever, we simply cannot escape engaging the media deliberately, compellingly, in the struggle for human rights.

We are very consciously using "Engage" – an important word to remember – for this discussion. We'll be exploring together the many ways we do and can engage the media. We’ll also utilize one of the tried and true tools of the journalists' trade - the 5 W's and H - "why, who, what, where, when, and how" of engaging media in human rights.

“Why” do you engage the media in your human rights efforts?”

Kenya: Normal Human Reactions to Terrible Events

npearson — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 12:49:51 -0600

The terrible and traumatic events occurring in Kenya are threatening people’s safety. From our experiences here at the Center for Victims of Torture, we would like to offer some information that may be of help to our brothers and sisters in Kenya. This information can be of help to anyone, including those interviewing and assisting people who have survived horrible events - such as journalists, aid workers, or truth commission personnel.

You may be experiencing many reactions for the first time. For those who have had previous traumatic experiences, you may find that you are re-experiencing thoughts, emotions, symptoms, and fears associated with previous experiences. Although these feelings can be scary and distressing, it is important to remember that as human beings, these reactions are normal responses to situations involving widespread destruction, horror and violence threatening life.

For specific information about what you can do for yourself and others - download this document: Normal Human Reactions to Terrible Events

For an excellent "pocket size" reminder card titled "Caring for yourself in the face of difficult work" download this document: http://www.isu.edu/irh/handouts/Aid_Worker_Pocket_Card.pdf

When the situation regains stability, your responses are very likely to decrease over time. If you find this is not the case, seek help and assistance from others. You are not alone and there is help available.

In Kenya, the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) is an organization that may be able to connect you with counseling services. You can learn more about IMLU and their work through their website: http://www.imlu.org/

Journalists are very often in positions where they are highly explosed not only to threats against their own lives but listen to and interview the accounts from many others. The Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma does research and posts information to help journalists understand how trauma affects them, as well as how to be sensitive when interviewing trauma victims. Their Web site is at: http://www.dartcenter.org/

Tips for interviewing trauma victims and their families:
http://www.dartcenter.org/quick_tips/interviewing.html

They have self-care for journalist tips at:
http://www.dartcenter.org/quick_tips/journalist.html

Here is a contact page with email to staff at the Dart Center:
http://www.dartcenter.org/about/personnel.php

Reporters without Borders has information for journalists regarding their safety and security. They also offer bulletproof vests for freelance journalists:
http://www.reseau-damocles.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=193

ProtectiOnline.org also has information, more related to how the media can protect human rights defenders in their work:
http://www.protectionline.org/-Media,26-.html

Let us know if you are aware of other resources that would be of help and assistance to people or if we can be of assistance in connecting you with the resources you need.

journalists

Engaging the Media in Human Rights

Featured Dialogue: Engaging the Media in Human Rights

Table of Contents

Intro

Kenya: Normal Human Reactions to Terrible Events