Tech in Africa
Stakeholders in Africa’s media fraternity teamed together to launch an online digital platform that is safe for journalists. The platform was launched on January 29 with the intent of developing early warning mechanisms that address threats and violence meted out against journalists in a manner that enhances the continent’s response capacity. This platform was established with technical guidance from the Council of Europe (CoE) – Platform on Promotion and the Protection of the Safety of Journalists.
Among the immediate actions following the launch is the creation of capacity building of regional media networks and other civil society organizations taking part in the initiative. Main focus areas are monitoring, verification and reporting of media freedoms and violations. The platform will also raise awareness on the “Declaration on Principles of Freedom of Expression” and “Access to Information”. A cooperative mechanism that keeps track of attacks facing journalists while reporting on these attacks will be presented to individuals on the platform.
Former African Union President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged to support the platform through the African Union’s “structures and institutions.”
Roch Marc Christian Kabore, the former president of Burkina Faso highlighted that Africa’s march towards achieving its Agenda 2063 must include the protection of a free and independent media. This shows in the number of supporters such as:
- African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights
- AU African Governance Architecture
- AU African Peer Review Mechanism
- African Editors Forum
- International Federation of Journalists
- Federation of African Journalists
Other supportive bodies include the BBC Media Action, Article 19, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and Free Press Unlimited. Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO’s secretary general described the platform as a “valuable tool”.
Check out the platform below
https://safetyofjournalistsinafrica.africa/
Source: UNESCO news
