Forum of Journalists in Burkina Faso

On March 9, 2008 at the RAN Somketa Hotel in Ouagadougou, UPF-Burkina Faso held its the first forum for journalists. This forum held under the theme of the Role and Responsibility of the Journalists for a Peaceful Society gathered 23 journalists representing 15 national media companies.

The purpose of the meeting was to show the vision and the philosophy of the UPF in the establishment of responsible media professionals. Three axes have been the focal points of the presentation:

 

1.    The necessity of a new vision for leadership and peace
2.    The five universal principles and other initiatives of UPF for peace
3.    Role and responsibility of media for peace

 

The forum was also an opportunity to show a video on the 25th anniversary of The Washington Times, which serves as a model and pioneer in the promotion of standards values and ethics.

 

At the end of the forum, three journalists were appoitned as Ambassadors for Peace.

 

The section of the Technical Committee Media of UPF has been established as followes:

•    President: Boureima Sigué, Director of thenewspaper Le Pays (Non Governmental Media organ)
•    Vice-President: Adjima David Thiombiano, Journalist at Télévision Nationale du Burkina (National TV company)
•    Secretary: Sakré Saïdou Ouédraogo, journalist at Radio Nationale du Burkina (National Radio Broadcasting company)

 

The participants expressed their satisfaction and their desire that much more time be allocated for a future forum. For them, it would be good if a permanent environment for interchange and deepening on this vision is created. They also recommended that other events be organized to explore how the media can contribute to the establishment of peace.