Bukavu, 9 April 2013 – In Bukavu, Sud Kivu, the Public Information Office of the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) organized, on 4 April 2013, a one-day training workshop for journalists from across the province to empower and enable them to properly cover sexual violence issues in a conflict or post-conflict setting.

More than 30 journalists hailing from Bukavu and the territories of Walungu, Mwenga, Shabunda, Kalehe, Idjwi and Kabare, participated in this workshop which was designed to strengthen the capacity of local media to provide ethical, informative and accurate reporting on sexual violence stories.

To achieve this, the participants were given the opportunity to review the fundamentals of journalism: professional ethics; the principles governing the conduct of journalists in the exercise of the profession; and their professional commitment to respect all relevant laws and the rights of the individual. Other related issues were also discussed, which includes: the relations between journalists and political, administrative and military authorities; respect for the right to freedom of expression and information, as well as the collection and treatment of sensitive information. Particular emphasis was placed on the coverage of trials of cases of sexual violence.
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n this regard, Chouchou Namegabe, coordinator of the Sud Kivu Women's Media Association (Association des Femmes de Médias du Sud Kivu) stressed that it is important for journalists to familiarize themselves with the basic legal concepts, as part of the knowledge they need to support them in the performance of their professional duties.

Tahina Andriamamonjitianasoa/MONUSCO