The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) met with Claver Gatete, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting focused on strengthening media engagement in Africa's development priorities and the role of journalism as a public good. The FAJ delegation was led by its president, Omar Faruk Osman. Discussions centered on the media's role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.
The FAJ delegation, which included Treasurer Maria Luisa Rogério and Steering Committee Member Jean-Claude Coulibaly, raised concerns about journalists' working and economic conditions. They highlighted the importance of public interest journalism and the indispensable role journalists play in key areas of UNECA's mandate. The meeting aimed to equip African journalists with the data and expertise needed to report on these issues.
Gatete asserted UNECA's commitment to facilitating journalists' access to information and evidence to help amplify African perspectives. He underscored the role journalists play in shaping the African narrative and telling the continent's story in ways that advance people-centered development. This engagement seeks to support inclusive and sustainable development through access to reliable information and information integrity.
FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman emphasized the importance of independent journalism in helping people understand the decisions and policies that shape their lives. He noted that people-centered development and homegrown solutions are strengthened when citizens, including journalists, have access to reliable information and can contribute fully to public life.
The FAJ and UNECA meeting recognized the vital role journalists can play in advancing Africa's development priorities. Closer institutional engagement can help African journalists explain developmental priorities and bring African perspectives into public debate. This collaboration aims to ensure journalists partake in conversations about the continent's future while fulfilling their crucial watchdog role.
FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman welcomed UNECA's recognition of the vital role journalists can play in its work on Africa's development priorities. He added that the FAJ remains committed to advancing public interest journalism. The FAJ is effectively mobilized to ensure journalists contribute to conversations about the continent's future.
The meeting between FAJ and UNECA highlights the growing recognition of the media's role in Africa's development. By working together, the FAJ and UNECA can promote informed public debate and support people-centered development in Africa. The collaboration is expected to have a positive impact on the continent's development priorities.
Key points
- FAJ and UNECA to strengthen media engagement in Africa's development priorities
- Journalists to be equipped with data and expertise to report on development issues
- Collaboration aims to promote informed public debate and support people-centered development in Africa
