Media experts and policy makers share their thoughts on what the media could do for development and human rights
1. First of all, learn about the human rights beyond a fundamental level. After all, human rights are basic international law. “If the government or any other party breaches those rights, they breach the law,” says Catarina de Albuquerque, a UN Independent Expert.
2. “Respect human rights,” says Dr. Purna Sen, Head of Human Rights at the Commonwealth. “This is essential. These include not harassing subjects for stories or exposing them to harm.”
3. “Tell the stories. Tell the stories of people you have met, who are suffering violations,” says de Albuquerque. “Don’t forget the silent suffering of people who get a lot less attention. Bring these stories to the forefront.”
4. Dr. Sen asserts that practitioners should promote human rights by doing much more than providing information. “Let people know what their rights are: investigate shortfalls and fill the accountability gap that exists between commitments on a national level,” she says.
5. Get the story right. “Check facts, call—wrong information is also an injustice to human rights,” says de Albuquerque.
6. Enable an environment that allows media to be free—an editorial environment that fosters this will encourage both professional and citizen journalists to express themselves, thus making it easier to take action on human rights offenses.
7. Journalists and bloggers using social media should feel they are safe and protected, says Jānis Kārkliņs, Assistant Director General of Communication and Information of UNESCO. “They should be able to exercise their right to free speech without hindrance. It’s important that there should be adequate training for journalists as well as government, law information agencies, etc.” This will prepare journalists to produce ethical reportage.
8. “Train people to become media-literate consumers,” advises Jeffrey N. Trimble, Executive Director, of the US Broadcasting Board of Governors. Give media users tools so they can sort out the deluge of information on their own. Smarter consumers could lead to a better use of the Internet in addressing human rights issues.
By: Bianca Consunji
