Luanda - Angola defended on Monday, in Addis Ababa, the valorization of journalists who work in armed conflict zones in Africa.
The statement was made by the Angolan ambassador to Ethiopia, Miguel Bembe, during the 1230th meeting of the Peace & Security Council (PSC) of the African Union, held in virtual format.
The Angolan diplomat highlighted that the country recommends the creation of support networks for media professionals working in hostile contexts, which provide not only physical protection, but also psychological and legal support and the implementation by Member States of laws that protect journalists, guaranteeing their safety and freedom of the press, in line with international standards.
He considered the situation of journalists during armed conflicts in Africa particularly precarious and alarming.
“Conflicts, whether ethnic, political or linked to resources issues, create an extremely dangerous environment for media professionals”, he pointed out.
Miguel Bembe suggested carrying out training programs for journalists on security in areas of armed conflict, in partnership with international press protection organizations, and training sessions for military personnel on the importance of protecting press professionals.
He added that it was necessary to create mechanisms to monitor and report threats or attacks on journalists, establishing safe channels to communicate with them and strengthening the promotion of a culture of respect for human rights and the establishment of cooperation with international organizations to guarantee resources and technical support for the safety of media professionals.
In this context, he called on Member States to share best practices and develop joint strategies to protect journalists and provide information to the population in times of armed conflicts.
He also called for the promotion of broad public awareness campaigns about the vital role of journalists and the importance of access to information during armed conflicts and the relevance of press freedom as a pillar of democracy and lasting peace.
The Angolan diplomat reiterated that access to information is a fundamental right that should not be restricted, in times of conflict or peace, and highlighted the importance of the role of journalists in times of war, representing “the eyes and ears of the international community, the witnesses of the multifaceted events taking place on our continent”.
Ambassador Miguel Bembe said that journalists play a crucial role as guardians of the truth in an increasingly free and democratic society and that their work allows them to document the facts, inform the public and give a voice to those who are silenced.
“When journalists, in turn, are kept silent, the whole of society is affected,” he said.
Today's meeting, dedicated to the protection of journalists and access to information in situations of armed conflict in Africa, was chaired by Ambassador Churchili Ewumbwe-Monono, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cameroon, the country that assumes the CPS presidency on the current month (September), with the attendance of the Commissioner for political affairs, peace and security of the African Union, Bankole Adeoye.
In 2013, the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed November 2 as the International Day to End Impunity (IDEI) for Crimes against Journalists.
This year, to celebrate da date, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the African Union decided to hold a World Conference, to take place on the 6th and 7th of November, at the headquarters of the continental organization, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the theme “Safety of Journalists in Crises and Emergencies.
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