The UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for Central Africa has urged journalists within the region to ensure they do not propagate terrorism and violent extremism through their reportage.
Salah Khaled, the Resident representative of the organisation, made the call during the opening ceremony of a two-day training for journalists in Yaounde, Cameroun.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was supported by the Canadian government in collaboration with UNESCO and Union Internationale de la Presse Francophone (UPF).
The training which had 30 journalists, drawn from Chad, Nigeria and Cameroun, participating, is under the theme: ‘Improving Media Coverage of Issues Related to Terrorism and Violent Extremism’.
“The role of the media is really important in this regard, because they are the link to the society.
“Journalists should be careful what they report, who they report while ensuring that they don’t incite issues that can degenerate into violence,” Khaled said.
He added that media professionals should play the role of sensitising the public, share experiences to educate the people while reporting.
According to him, UNESCO will sustain, support to countries and institutions with effective approach to fighting terrorism as well as curbing violent extremism.
The President UPF, Aimè Bihina, said the union intended to carry out fight against terrorism through building the capacities of media professionals in the region.
She said that terrorism had existed in diverse forms over the years, in form of extreme cases of violence.
Bihina added that terrorism and violent extremism are the greatest fear for the future, explaining that terrorist attack targets both victims and the society.
According to her, there is need for the media not to inadvertently contribute to stigmatised groups,exacerbate division, irrational fear and hatred through reports.