The Union of Journalists for the Recognition and Ownership of Genocost in the Democratic Republic of Congo (UJRG-RDC) has called on media professionals to engage in documenting, raising awareness, and transmitting the memory of crimes committed in the country. This appeal was made during a press conference held at the RTNC installations in Kinshasa on September 21, ahead of an international forum scheduled for September 26-27. The forum aims to bring together journalists, experts, institutional representatives, civil society actors, and other stakeholders.
The UJRG-RDC's initiative focuses on promoting collective reflection on the role of each stakeholder in documenting facts, preserving victims' memories, and advocating for international recognition of Genocost. According to the organization, journalists play a crucial role in this process as they are also considered memory actors responsible for documenting facts, gathering testimonies, and transmitting history to present and future generations. The UJRG-RDC's coordinator, Gilbert Fundi, emphasized that the media has an essential role to play in documenting, explaining, and transmitting the Genocost.
The upcoming forum will adopt a multidimensional approach structured around several themes, including historical, media-related, educational, legal, institutional, diplomatic, and social aspects of Genocost. Some of the selected topics include the role of media in raising awareness and appropriating this memory, documentation of crimes and testimonies, human rights and transitional justice, and the place of education and youth in transmitting memory. The institutional and international dimensions will also be discussed, particularly through conversations dedicated to advocating for international recognition of Genocost.
The UJRG-RDC also expressed its support for the petition campaign led by First Lady Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, aimed at advocating for international recognition of Genocost. The organization intends to use the media's influence to inform and raise public awareness about the stakes of this approach while encouraging better consideration of victims' testimonies and memories in journalistic treatment. This initiative seeks to go beyond exchanges between professionals and experts, focusing on concrete reflection on the contribution of each actor.
The forum aims to bring together various stakeholders to discuss their roles in documenting facts, preserving victims' memories, and supporting advocacy for international recognition of Genocost. According to the UJRG-RDC, it is essential to determine how media, institutions, experts, civil society, diplomats, and citizens can contribute to this process. This approach is participatory and multidimensional, and the UJRG-RDC intends to highlight it during the September 26-27 event in Kinshasa.
The UJRG-RDC's efforts focus on promoting a better understanding of Genocost and its implications. By engaging media professionals and other stakeholders, the organization aims to ensure that the memory of Genocost victims is preserved and transmitted to future generations. The forum will provide a platform for discussing the challenges and opportunities related to documenting and raising awareness about Genocost.
The international forum on Genocost, scheduled for September 26-27, is expected to yield concrete outcomes, including a deeper understanding of the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in documenting and preserving the memory of Genocost victims. The UJRG-RDC's initiative is a significant step towards promoting awareness and recognition of Genocost, both domestically and internationally.
Key points
- DR Congo journalists' union urges media to document and transmit memory of Genocost victims
- UJRG-RDC supports petition campaign for international recognition of Genocost
- Forum aims to promote collective reflection on role of stakeholders in documenting Genocost
