CFI, in cooperation with Al-Jazeera Training Center, organized a workshop on ‘Refugee Story Coverage’ from 26-29 September 2021. Eighteen journalists were selected from governorates of Amman, Zarqa, Ajloun, Mafraq and Irbid.
The training aimed at introducing the concept of Refugees’ Journalism and its importance. The following topics were presented as the main pillars of Refugees’ Journalism: legal classification of refugees, refuge and immigration laws, sympathetic journalism, proper terminology, logistics needs and safety measurements in the field. Additionally, the preparation procedures for the production of refugees’ stories, and the principles of conducting interviews with them, were discussed thoroughly. It also stressed the importance of journalistic moralities, ethics along the exclusion of discrimination and hatred speech against refugees.
It is crucial that journalists and media professionals are able to present and cover all issues that arise in vulnerable communities in a professional, transparent and unbiased manner. Media has a major role in highlighting all issues that concern refugees that already exist or might arise. Professional coverage of refugees’ stories will impact the lives of refugees, and make their voices heard. It is also a method of communication between host communities and refugees that will prevent any troubles or miscommunication between both sides.
“This training is an explicit example on integrating Syrian and Jordanian journalists to enhance social cohesion that is a vital priority for the advancement of societies,” said Thouraya Ma’abrah.
It is essential to equip journalists and media workers with the proper skills and tools to produce high quality refugees’ stories:
“This training is of an added value, it enriched my knowledge with possible means for covering refugees’ stories, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Said Asma’ Al-Jaber.
The trainees have acquired new knowledge and skills through the training, such as the ability to identify issues and cases that are related to refugees. They were also able to learn producing sympathetic stories, and humanizing refugees’ stories.
“I gained more information about refugees’ issues, and am now more aware of the mechanisms and principles that a journalist should apply while working on a story.” said Ibrahim Shahin.
