African journalists unite to improve labour migration reporting

Editors and journalists from over 35 media organisations gathered last week to establish a new network aimed at enhancing coverage of labour migration in Africa.The initiative seeks to reshape the narrative surrounding this critical issue, emphasising the need for accurate and balanced reporting.Leading the newly formed network is Jemima Beukes, acting secretary general of the Namibia Media Professionals Union (Nampu) and a seasoned journalist from Namibia.She is joined by Mokhlis Brahim from Morocco as the first deputy chairperson, Aminata Sanou from Burkina Faso as the second deputy chairperson, Hilaire Hamekoue from Cameroon as the third deputy chairperson, and Charles Erick Oduor from Kenya as the rapporteur.Nuanced reportingThe initiative was launched during a capacity-building workshop for journalists and editors, themed &#039;Building a Positive Narrative on Labour Migration Governance in Africa&#039;, which was co-hosted by the African Union Commission (AUC), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) under the Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP).FAJ president Omar Faruk Osman highlighted the importance of African media reclaiming their narratives to present a more truthful depiction of migration dynamics.“Migrant workers often fill vital gaps in labour markets, send remittances that support families and communities back home and facilitate the exchange of skills and knowledge," he noted."However, this process also presents challenges such as the risk of exploitation, human trafficking and inadequate protection of migrant workers&#039; rights. These complexities require nuanced understanding and sensitive reporting," he emphasised.Comprehensive, balanced journalism He said that as journalists, "we possess the power to shape public discourse and influence perceptions. Therefore, our role in covering labour migration cannot be overstated. We must endeavour to present accurate, balanced and comprehensive narratives that reflect the complexities of this issue.”Dr Sabelo Mbokazi, head of the African Union’s division of labour, employment and migration, noted that a significant challenge facing Africa is the reliance on editorial content from Western media, which often perpetuates negative portrayals of the continent.He believes that ideally, this flow of information should be reversed, with Western media drawing from African sources to present a more balanced and accurate depiction of Africa.jemima@nmh-hub.com..na

African journalists unite to improve labour migration reporting

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-07

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African journalists unite to improve labour migration reporting

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-07

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