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Tag: WACC

  • WACC Launches End News Media sexism campaign

    WACC Launches End News Media sexism campaign

    The World Association for Christian Communication (WACC), the Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP) Network and other partners have launched a campaign to end news media sexism by 2020.

    The commencement date of the campaign coincides with Human Rights Day to underline gender  equality in the media as a human rights issue.

    The “End News Media Sexism” campaign will encourage and assist national advocacy to change media policy and journalistic practice.

    The campaign aims to support and highlight intensive efforts in several countries with  the hope that new evidence will emerge on strategies that work to bring about fair and equal representation of women and men in the news media.

    “This is a call for action to all those who are committed to gender equality. Media have a significant impact on how we perceive our reality” comments Rev. Dr Karin Achtelstetter, General Secretary of WACC. “The campaign will tackle these issues and challenge media outlets to take professional ethics for gender-fair practice seriously.”

    WACC is the General Secretary of the Global Alliance on Media and Gender  (GAMAG), a global network of media organisations, civil society and other actors interested in gender equality in and through the media.

    The campaign follows on the heels of the launch of the Step It Up for Gender  Equality Media Compact by the UN agency responsible for gender equality UN Women to urge media organisations to play their part in advancing gender equality and women’s rights.

    The campaign is informed by the results of media monitoring research by the GMMP network in 114 countries.

    Conducted over a 20-year period, the research found persistent severe disparity between news media portrayal and representation of women and men. On several key indicators of gender equality in the media, the research revealed that progress had either slowed down or ground to a halt.

    The “End News Media Sexism” campaign takes a variety of approaches to bring about news media accountability for gender equality.

    Various tools are provided for audiences to gain a critical awareness of gender issues in media content and to engage with their local media. The tools available at http://whomakesthenews.org/advocacy/end-news-media-sexism-by-2020 include a scorecard on which media will be rated on their performance on key indicators of gender-sensitive reporting.

    For more information, please visit the campaign website at http://whomakesthenews.org/advocacy/end-news-media-sexism-by-2020 or contact

    Sara Speicher, ss@waccglobal.org, +44 7821 860 723 or +44 7985 276 515.

  • WACC calls for end of media sexism by 2020

    To mark International Women’s Day, the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) has called for action to end news media sexism by 2020.

    The call is part of several launches of national reports for the Global Media Monitoring Project GMMP 2015 taking place around International Women’s Day marked globally on Tuesday.

    In line with the recommendations of the report, WACC strongly supports the UNESCO initiative, Women Make the News 2016, which includes a commitment by media organization to achieve at least 30% of women interviewed among all sources in the news.

    The report of the 2015 GMMP, which WACC coordinates, found clear evidence of prevailing sexism in the news media, including in emerging online and social media news channels.

    Analysis of content, representation and presentation in media output in over 100 countries demonstrated continued significant under-representation and mis-representation of women as news subjects and as professional journalists and presenters.

    “The fundamental problem is that so much of our news today does not reflect the world as it really is,” states Rev. Dr Karin Achtelstetter, WACC General Secretary.

    “When women are invisible as experts and opinion makers, when they are portrayed as victims, sexual objects or non-workers, when men are stereotyped in macho roles, it invariably shapes the mindset of societies that perpetuate stereotypes and inequalities and inhibits the full contribution women and men can make. Ending news media sexism will help everyone reach their full potential.”

    The 2015 GMMP report sets specific targets and recommendations for all those involved in setting and implementing professional journalism standards to promote good practice and significantly reduce sexist and misogynistic content.

    “Whether as editors, journalists, trainers, or audiences, we all can take steps to ensure that the news we read, watch and listen to reflects balanced, accurate and fair representation and provides the space for informed and truly democratic participation in society,” said Achtelstetter.

     

  • WACC urges strengthening of youths’ voices

    WACC urges strengthening of youths’ voices

    The World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) has called on its worldwide network of members and partners to strengthen the voices of young people in the political, economic and social life of their countries.

    In a statement issued on the International Day of Democracy WACC said it believes that recognizing and building on communication rights uphold genuine democracies – in which people and communities can strive for greater equality and peace and full participation in decisions that affect their lives.

    It however noted that in many places in the world, communication rights are under threat.

    “ WACC members and partners are called to empower and encourage young people to voice their concerns for a better world. They can do so through such WACC-supported initiatives as the Creative Centre for Communication and Development (Zimbabwe), which is enabling girls to use citizen journalism and digital media platforms to change attitudes that perpetuate the practice of child marriage.

    “ In Colombia, Grupo ComunicArte is helping young people to express themselves on radio. Specialising in “school radios”, the group is working with teachers, community and traditional leaders to carry out a project that strengthens the participation of Indigenous Inga youth in genuine community development, ” the association said in the statement signed by its President, Dr. Dennis Smith, WACC President and General Secretary Rev. Dr. Karin Achtelstetter.

    WACC reiterated that genuine communication involves sharing information and knowledge, discussing, listening and being heard.

    “Engaging young people on democracy” according to WACC means making young people the subjects of communication and – crucially – hearing their voices.

    The theme of this year’s International Day of Democracy on 15 September 2014 is “Engaging young people on democracy”, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of young people taking part in democratic processes.

     

  • Give fair representation to women, WACC urges media owners

    Give fair representation to women, WACC urges media owners

    The Africa region of World Association of Christian Communication (WACC AR) has urged media owners and communicators in Africa to focus on issues that concern women in their reporting.

    This according to the body will help in stemming the tide of violence against women in the region and also give them a fair representation in the emancipation of the continent.

    WACC made the call at the end of a three-day seminar on Gender and Communication in Africa at War and in Peace in Nairobi, Kenya which held from 4th-7th August 2014.

    The organization in the communiqué, signed by the newly elected President of the Africa region, Mathilda Kpalla and Secretary, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin urged media owners to give space to promote women based issues in their media and be gender sensitive in the recruitment of those who are purveyors of news in the media.

    WACC AR also called on media professionals to endeavor to “profile the role and perspectives of women before, during and after conflict and in peace and security processes.

    “They should also endeavor to promote national and regional monitoring on women’s right issue and use their media to work on the issue of changing socio-cultural norms that are against women”

    It also observed that the internet has been used to perpetuate violence against women and urged internet service providers to work towards removing content that perpetuate violence against women on the internet and drive the campaign to stem the tide of illicit postings on the internet.

    While observing that women are the most vulnerable group in conflict situations, participants at the seminar called on governments at all levels in African countries to ratify and domesticate United Nation’s and Africa Union’s recommendations on issues of rights that concern women and also create awareness on national action plans for implementation of the resolutions.

    It also urged civil society groups to work towards changing attitudes of society and socio-cultural norms towards women and girls while also calling on churches and faith based organizations to broaden their teachings beyond evangelism to include issues on women’s rights

  • The Nation scores high in rural poverty reporting

    The Nation scores high in rural poverty reporting

    Nigeria’s Newspaper of the Year, The Nation, has received accolades for coming tops among newspapers that report rural poverty issues.

    A research conducted by the International Press Centre (IPC), in collaboration with World Association for Christian Communication (WACC), showed The Nation had the highest scope of its reports on rural issues/areas with 32.1 per cent.

    The study, which focused on the reportage of six major papers, including The Punch, ThisDay, The Guardian, Vanguard and The Sun for the month of April 2013, also revealed that The Nation had the second highest number of most sympathetic reports, with 95 out of its total 109 reports (87 percent) sympathetic to the cause of the poor.

    Presenting copies of the findings to The Nation’s management on Monday, IPC’s director, Lanre Arogundade described as worrisome, the non-reportage of rural poverty issues by media outfits.

    He urged journalists to as part of their social responsibility, raise awareness on poverty issues such that their reports will influence needed policy changes and reforms in the affected areas.

    He further advised media organisations to develop internal monitoring mechanisms of their editorial performance on the reporting of poverty issues in general and local rural poverty in particular.

    Arogundade said rural poverty reporting should be made an indispensable component of development reporting, adding that it should be made a specialised area or beat.

    “Media institutions should be encouraged to adopt editorial policies and frameworks that espouse the eradication of poverty. The media and civil society platforms working on the eradication of rural poverty should embrace mutually beneficial partnership,” he said.

    Receiving the copies on behalf of the management, Deputy Chairman, Editorial Board, Tunji Adegboyega lauded the group for the feat, just as he tasked the IPC to revamp its activism.

    He noted that although most votes come from the rural areas, the rural dwellers who come rain or shine cast their votes have been denied basic infrastructure.

    “We are in political times and even the people in the rural areas would want to know and read about politics. Although we will continue to strive to report rural poverty issues, I want to also urge the IPC to step up its activism,” he said.

    At the event were The Nation Deputy Editor (Daily), Lawal Ogienagbon and Online Editor, Lekan Otufodunrin.

     

     

     

     

  • Commission on cybercrimes in banking, oil and gas coming

    Commission on cybercrimes in banking, oil and gas coming

    The Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Hon Ibrahim Shehu Gusau has said the House, is planning to set up a commission that would tackle cybercrimes in the banking, insurance, I CT, oil and gas, among others.

    Speaking to The Nation at the sidelines of the 6th edition of the West African Convergence Conference (WACC 2013) in Lagos, he said the Commission to be known as Cybercrimes Security Commission would help in checking online fraudulent practices.

    He said: “We are working on laws that would ensure that cybercrimes are reduced across sectors. We are a bill that would enable Cybercrime Security Commission to be in place. Of course, this will reduce among other things cybercrimes in banking, oil and gas, ICT, among other sectors. As soon as the President assent to the bill, we would pass it.’’

    He said the Economic and FinancialCrimes Commission (EFFC), and the police are the first port of calls when its comes to cybercrimes, adding that with the Commission will help in complementing the activities of such law enforcement agencies.

    He said there is no institution or office in the House of Representatives assigned to tackle cyber security crimes until recently when the Committee on ICT was set up.

    According to him, the Committee has passed Cyber Security Bill and Nigerian Communication Satellite Bill to ensure that the sector is afoot and stronger compared to its counterparts in developed countries.

    Gusua said this was the first time the House would have a Committee on ICT, noting that there was nothing of such in the past.

    Also, the Chief Executive officer, Omatek Computers, Mrs Florence Seriki, canvassed convergence, saying it is the in-thing globally, advising Nigeria to embrace it.

    He said with mobile devices, such as phones, I-PAD, among others, people can reach a convergence electronically on personnel and corporate interests.

    She said the company has an educational programme that enables it go to schools, distribute laptops to students, teach them how to use the device and making them IT compliant.

  • WACC, NGO train church leaders on HIV/AIDS

    WACC, NGO train church leaders on HIV/AIDS

    Hundreds of church leaders in Lagos last week received trainings on reduction of stigmatisation and discrimination against People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in their worship centres.
    The 3- day training was organised by World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) and Hope for Aids International (HFA) Lagos.
    The training, which held at Ifako-Ijaiye local government, was the 8th of its kind in Lagos.
    An officer of HFA, Mr. Tunde Fowe, underscored the essence of the training.
    According to him: “these trainings are important because many are still ignorant about HIV/AIDS and dissemination of the right information about the disease cannot be over emphasised.”
    Fowe said the decision to focus on religious leaders was strategic.
    “They are opinion leaders who command respect in their various communities,’’ he explained.
    Another facilitator, Mrs. Gbemisola Olayinka, encouraged participants to step down the training in their various worship centres.
    She urged religious leaders to avoid words that could fuel stigmatisation, stating that infection with the virus is not a death sentence.
    Mr. Ibukun Raji said with the conclusion of the exercise, the train will move to Oshodi/Isolo and then Ojo local government areas.