About 30 journalists from different media outlets are participating in a three-day training in Juba aimed at strengthening their ability to produce stories that bridge divides among communities.
Organized by the Community Media Network South Sudan (COMNETSS), with support from UNDP, the training topics include conflict-sensitive reporting, gender-sensitive journalism and inclusive media practices.
In her opening remarks on Wednesday, COMNETSS Chairperson Josephine Achiro emphasized the importance of the training in helping journalists to dig out the truth.
“This training is most needed now because the postponement of our election has given us the time to better prepare. Conflict-sensitive reporting will help journalists seek the truth that will help South Sudanese to understand every narrative,” Achiro said.
Achiro, who also doubles as the Chairperson of the Association of Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS), said the journalists needed conflict-sensitive reporting skills, considering the context of the country.
“The five years given to us by UNDP were not wasted, because one of the results is the presence of female journalists on the ground today,” she said.
UNDP Program Manager Natacha Kunama said the training would enhance journalists’ knowledge on how to leverage social media for storytelling as well as supporting peaceful coexistence.
“You will learn how media can serve as a tool for peace by shifting perceptions, particularly the perceptions regarding the youth in South Sudan,” Kunama said, noting that often the narrative around the youth has been about violence and idleness.
“We all know that the youth of South Sudan are much more than that. They are peace builders, innovators and the future leaders of this nation,” she said.
“This training is an opportunity to gain skills that help you in transforming this narrative. I urge you to take full advantage of this learning opportunity. The lessons learned here will be vital as South Sudan enters a new phase in its transitional period, a critical time when the media’s role in ensuring peace cannot be overstated,” she stated.
Kunama said the role of journalists was critical in a country like South Sudan that was striving for lasting peace.
“As many of you know, information is one of the most powerful tools at our disposal. In the context of South Sudan, where communities are striving to build a lasting peace, the role of the media becomes even more critical.”
The UNDP official noted that the stories journalists tell, the words they choose, and the narratives they share, shaped the opinions and attitudes in society.