The Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the legislative arm of the African Union (AU), is hosting a three-day media capacity-building workshop for journalists in the Southern African region in Cape Town, South Africa, from 16 to 18 May 2024.
This workshop aims to address the visibility challenges in South Africa and across the region. It will also serve as a platform to educate the media on the significance of the PAP's 20th Anniversary and to establish a new direction for future collaboration between the PAP and the media.
By enhancing media engagement, the PAP aims to amplify its visibility and strengthen its role as a key institution within the AU, fostering informed citizenry and democratic governance. The training is the second in a series of media trainings that are being organized by the PAP to ensure that journalists on the continent are well informed about its mandate, especially in the framework of Agenda 2063, the continent's blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Lindiwe Khumalo, Clerk of the Pan-African Parliament says the workshop stems from the understanding that the press remains indispensable as an information conduit, even amidst a dynamic and evolving media and technological landscape. She reiterated that the PAP relies on journalists to disseminate information about its endeavors.
“Two decades after its inauguration, the PAP continues to find ways to sustainably establish formal and informal mechanisms for meaningful engagement with the African peoples and civil society. However, the visibility of the continental Parliament remains a critical challenge. The mandate of the PAP as a representative of the people of Africa, cannot be implemented without engaging and involving citizens and civil society in the activities of the PAP. The media therefore remains the most effective tool in helping the PAP reach these audiences,” said Ms. Khumalo.
The three-day training will cover several key topics: Contextual Reporting, which focuses on understanding complex organizations and ensuring accuracy; Ethical Reporting in Parliamentary Journalism; Strategies for improving media relations; Identifying effective entry points for media engagement; and the role of the media in enhancing the reporting of the PAP. By the end of the training, participants are expected to develop and adopt a common strategy and implementation plan.
As part of the capacity building workshop, Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the PAP is expected to address journalists on the theme "Celebrating 20 Years: The Role of Media in Shaping the Pan-African Parliament’s Next Two Decades.”
