Lira journalists trained on gender-sensitive reporting by EOC

LIRA, UGANDA: In a mission to promote a just and fair society for all, the Equal Opportunity Commission [EOC] has conducted a half-day training for 30 journalists in Lira City to enable them to report objectively on gender-based stories.

Mr. Yusuf Muziransa, the spokesperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission said equality and equity must be considered by journalists in their daily reporting.

“Do not judge people by their religion, vulnerability and avoid using words that lead to marginalization. The concept of gender is what we need to critically when we are doing reporting, therefore we also need to consider the issues of gender during the planning and in local government budgeting,” said Yusuf.

He added that gender-related issues should really be key in all sectors of life and departments, influences, opportunities, roles and access among others.

“As journalists, we must report in a way so that people like the elderly, women PWDs among others exactly understand government programs,” he urged the journalists who attended the training.

Speaking at the training, the Lira City Deputy Mayor, Ms Rebecca Alwedo appreciated journalists for working together with the leaders in Lira and called for support towards the members of the fourth estate to improve their working conditions.

“A way forward should be made so that journalists are supported. We really all understand that the media can build or destroy, ” Ms Alwedo said.

The Deputy Resident City Commissioner for Lira City East Division Mr.Enock Wandera urged journalists to follow professional ethics while reporting and asked them to progress in journalism possible as today the technology is surrounded by inaccurate reporting common in social media.

Mr Wandera testified that though journalism is uneasy work, he was able to do the work for 15 years correctly with the latest being on NBS television in 2011 before he joined the work of state as deputy Resident City Commissioner.

The RDC urged journalists to report objectively and be conscious of their security during the time of their work, especially when the stories they are covering may be of a sensitive nature.