Studies and Economic Media Center (SEMC) concluded last Wednesday the fifth training session on conflict-sensitive and peace journalism, which it is implemented in partnership with the French media development agency (CFI) via Zoom platform.
Five-days training with 3 hours per day, involving 14 journalists from six Yemeni governorates.
The workshop is the conclusion of four previous workshops under the program, with a total of 72 journalists trained from the governorates of Sana’a, Aden, Taiz, Hudaidah, Hadramawt and Ma’reb, including representatives from media outlets. The program is implemented within Yamaniyat project, which aims to enhance the presence of women in decision-making positions and ensure their participation in the peacebuilding process and advocacy through Yemeni media.
Sarah FILALI , theProject Manager at CFI confirmed that this latest session completes the training program, implemented by CFI in partnership with SEMC. She also stated that before even starting these training sessions, a rigorous selection process was carried out to selecte motivated beneficiaries from different governorates as well as experienced trainers.
Also, she added that, “The sessions were organized and implemented with rigor by SEMC and the testimonials from beneficiaries and trainers reflected the effectiveness and relevance of the training content, which provides trained journalists not only with precise information adapted to the Yemeni context, but also with practical tools to understand, analyze, work and take action.”
On the other hand, Haifa Al-Odaini, Yameniyat Project’s Coordinator at SEMC, affirmed that the program seeks to develop and strengthen the capacity of women journalists to write on conflict-sensitive and peace journalism, thereby helping to support Yemeni women’s access to decision-making positions and their effective participation in the peacebuilding process in Yemen.
In the same context, the journalist Rania Abdullah noted that “this training comes at an important stage for Yemen. Journalists should have a balance and objectivity in media and issues coverage of primary concern to the citizen”, she said.
Rania expressed her pleasure at participating in training as an assistant trainer with Lebanese trainer Vanessa Bassil, noting that during the training days participants learned about the concepts of peace journalism and conflict analysis, journalistic ethics, good coverage of conflict-sensitive issues, as well as the fight against misinformation, training in writing in peace journalism and the use of appropriate and conflict-sensitive terminology.
International trainer Vanessa Bassil praised the training, describing it as fruitful and effective with an open and committed group. Bassil added: “We discussed various topics of journalism ethics for the role of the media in societies divided into the challenges of the Yemeni press, and training materials also covered the concepts of conflict and peacebuilding, as we talked about the components of conflict and the role of the peace journalism in finding common ground and building bridges in divided societies and the interaction with Yemeni journalists aimed at spreading a culture of peace in their societies. ”
One of the beneficiaries of the workshop, Khadija, stated: “I did not have comprehensive knowledge on the subject of peace, especially negative and positive peace and conflict-related topics. The workshop was a valuable addition to my media and journalism career in general.”
In addition, trainee Hussein Al-Mahrami emphasized that training represents an important step in his career, adding: “I am confident that he will help me to pursue the journalism profession with greater responsibility and professionalism.”
The Studies & Economic Media Center is a non-profit civil society organization working for rehabilitation and awareness of economic issues, enhancing transparency and citizen participation in decision-making, creating professional media, empowering youth and women economically and promoting their role in building peace.
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