December 14, 2022 (Bishoftu, Ethiopia): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the eight-member regional economic community in the East and Horn of Africa region, has launched a new media network to help boost the reporting on peace and security issues in the region.
IGAD’s Peace and Security Division convened the network’s launch workshop on 13-14 December in Bishoftu town, Ethiopia with journalists, media regulators, and other media practitioners with the aim of boosting the transparent, professional and contextual coverage of peace and security issues. The media practitioners were drawn from seven IGAD member states: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.
“IGAD recognises the need for a platform to strategically and sustainably engage with journalists and media practitioners in the coverage of peace and security in the region. This network gives us the opportunity to do exactly that, especially at this time when the region is faced with multiple threats to human security,” said Hon. Siraj Fegessa, the Director, Peace and Security Division.
At the launch, the media practitioners established a steering committee to liaise with IGAD on creating structures for proactive communication of the often-sensitive topics on peace and security.
“The media plays a significant role in informing and shaping public perceptions as well as in driving important conversations around a broad range of issues with direct relevance to strengthening good governance, sustainable development, peaceful resolution to conflicts as well as regional integration. That’s why this network is one more great step in the journey to promoting human security in our region,” said Hon. Fegessa.
The new IGAD Regional Media Network on Peace and Security recognises the need for professional and ethical coverage, and is one of the times that regional media regulators, journalists, and other media practitioners will be working together in the coverage of peace and security issues.
For more information:
Ms Tigist Hailu, IGAD Peace and Security Division. Email: Tigist.Hailu@igad.int, Tel: +251 911 663 514 and/ or Ms. Saba Elbasha, IGAD Peace and Security Division. Email: Saba.Elbasha@igad.int, Tel: +251985059660
