Sahel journalists overcome obstacles, learn PJ
Navigating a minefield of obstacles while reporting protest movements was at the top of the agenda today in our peace journalism project involving journalists from the Sahel region of north Africa. This project—eight 90 minute sessions—has been simultaneously a sprint and a marathon.

Held over 5 weeks, the sessions were part of a project titled “Strengthening the Role of Media in Countering Violent Extremism. “ It was organized by Equal Access International, with financial support from the U.S. Embassy in Algeria.

Today, the journalists had some fascinating insights about their coverage of civil unrest—protests, riots, and so on. Like their counterparts everywhere, the journalists said their media outlets are prone to showing “violent and shocking” images like burning tires and wounded people because these “attract viewers, and the public loves it.” One journalist commented that their reports often feature sensational language, while another said that the reporting they produce during protests is “far from peace journalism.” A third participant from Mauritania shared information about a troubling law that forbids journalists from showing any images of military or police.

Then, we discussed how peace journalism principles can be applied to reporting about civic unrest. My advice included avoiding sensationalism; using precise non-inflammatory language, reporting counternarratives that offer different perspectives on protesters and police; and reporting with reconciliation in mind.

The final element of this project will gather the participants together in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire in early January to further discuss peace journalism and the challenges the reporters face in their very difficult media environments in their Sahel region countries of Mauritania, Mali, Chad, Cote D’Ivoire, Morocco, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Algeria, and Niger.

I’m looking forward to meeting my colleagues, and to my first overseas trip since March, 2020.