Sudan: ANA Invests in Media Training to Support Political Stability
January 9, 2023 Against the backdrop of growing civil and media activity across the African continent, Mr. Beki Ben Amer, Secretary-General of the international organization “ANA” (Love Our Africa) and the Alliance of African Journalists and Human Rights Defenders, travelled to Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, in early January 2023 for a strategic working visit.
This visit followed an official invitation from the Centre for Studies and Research on the Horn of Africa, aimed at launching new cooperation that places constructive media and civil society at the heart of peacebuilding and stability.
Organized and hosted by the Centre for Studies and Research on the Horn of Africa, this visit led to an intensive programme combining intellectual discussions, academic roundtables and training sessions for Sudanese media professionals. The objective was to develop a shared vision for addressing the political and social challenges facing the country and the region.
The historic “Sharjah” Hall at the University of Khartoum hosted the main event of the visit: a high-level specialized workshop entitled “The Role of the Media in Strengthening Political Stability in Sudan.”
The meeting attracted strong participation from academics, researchers, opinion leaders and content creators. Mr. Beki Ben Amer played an active role, particularly through key presentations focused on analysing the vital link between responsible journalistic practice and the preservation of social peace.
He stressed that, in periods of transition, the press does more than report events; it serves as a safety valve for society and an essential driver of national consensus. He also warned against the dangers of rumours, disinformation, hate speech and polarization, which aim to dismantle the internal social fabric.
Alongside the workshop activities, Secretary-General Baki Ben Amer delivered advanced training in “strategic communication” for Sudanese media professionals and journalists in Sharjah Hall at the University of Khartoum. The training focused on the concept of “inclusive media” and its modern practical dimensions.
It also reviewed contemporary tools and techniques that enable journalists to move beyond superficial and immediate coverage towards producing analytical content with a positive impact on public opinion. Considerable attention was also given to the professional and ethical values governing journalistic practice, particularly national responsibility, fact-checking, neutrality, and the promotion of a culture of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The conclusions of this visit and the joint activities highlighted the importance of institutionalizing cooperation between the Alliance of African Journalists and Human Rights Defenders and the Centre for Studies and Research on the Horn of Africa.
They also emphasized the need to build lasting professional communication networks that would enable Sudanese journalists to benefit from shared African experiences, with the aim of consolidating the rule of law and strengthening the foundations of stability in Sudan and the Horn of Africa region.
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