Cote d’Ivoire / UNOCI and 35 radio presenters identify radio programmes aimed at establishing a peaceful electoral environment
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire, March 25, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI), in partnership with the National Council for Audio-Visual Communication and the Union of Private Non Commercial Radio Stations, has organized a seminar for 35 radio presenters on the theme: “Private Non- Commercial Radio and the Challenges of Establishing a Peaceful Electoral Environment”.
The aim of the two-day seminar, which began in Korhogo, 580 km from Abidjan, on 23 March 2010, was to provide a forum for participants to identify topics for the information and sensitization of the electorate with a view to creating and maintaining a peaceful electoral environment.
Mrs. Kadidia Ledron of UNOCI’s Public Information Office said that the activity was within the framework of a nationwide sensitization of various socio-professional groups in the country. “The work of the media is as important as the efforts deployed at the political, electoral, diplomatic and military levels to contribute to the restoration of a lasting peace in your country. No peace process can succeed without an information component,” she explained.
Four sub-themes were explored during the first day of the seminar: Information and education of the electorate; a recap of the fundamental principles of journalism; techniques of radio journalism; radio programme formats, writing for radio – sources of information.
The first speaker, Dieudonne Nindagiye of UNOCI’s Electoral Assistance Division, widened scope of knowledge of the participants on the setting up of a civic education plan for the electorate to assist them in their information and education campaign. “By broadcasting good civic education programmes, private non-commercial radios can prepare each voter to vote properly,” he stressed.
On his part, the deputy director of programmes at the National Audio-Visual Council, Daouda Traore, gave a lengthy explanation of the rules and regulations governing community and rural radios, denominational and college/university campus radio stations, notably the regulation prohibiting the treatment and broadcasting of information of a political nature. He said according to the texts, “all programmes produced during the election period must be pre-recorded in order to avoid any inappropriate outbursts during broadcast”.
The presentations were followed by an enriching exchange of views on the professional editing of information conducted by Mrs. Ledron, highlighting the social responsibility of media professionals in the creation and maintenance of a peaceful electoral environment with regard to the ethical guidelines drawn up by the regulator.
The last speaker, Yoro Sangare, an UNOCI consultant, identified certain topics for radio programmes aimed at the electorate.
SOURCE
Mission of UN in Côte d’Ivoire
