On the initiative of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), a capacity-building workshop for 25 local radio journalists and correspondents of the Ivorian Press Agency on the theme "Management of rumour and respect for human rights for a peaceful environment and social cohesion" was held on 18 and 19 February 2014 in San Pedro, situated 370 km southwest of Abidjan.



The aim of the training session was to improve the media's contribution to creating an environment conducive to lasting peace by being professional in their coverage of events, said UNOCI's Coordinator in San Pedro, Ganda Abdourahamane, who headed the UN Mission's delegation.



Speaking on behalf of the Prefect of the Region, the secretary-general of local government, Ida Camara, thanked the UN Mission for its support and assistance to Ivorian authorities in the consolidation of peace which will lead to the country's emergence. « Rumour, when its contents are bad, goes against human rights and destroys the foundation on which social cohesion is built. This why I urge you to pay close attention and ensure that your discussions are fruitful," she advised participants.



In addition, during the two-day workshop, participants were also instructed on the techniques and mechanisms of preventing and combatting rumour in their respective place of work, and also on the techniques of radio production and the fundamental principles of journalism. These two modules were presented by a representative of UNOCI's Public Information Office.



Two additional modules on the prevention, management and resolution of conflict and human rights and social peace were presented by representatives of the UN Mission's Civil Affairs Section and Human Rights Division respectively.



At the end of the workshops participants adopted resolutions and recommendations including the need for journalists to provide reliable and balanced information to ensure the credibility of the media in Bas Sassandra and set up a platform of collaboration between local radio stations in the region in an effort to harmonise their actions to promote social cohesion and national reconciliation.



Speaking on behalf of participants at the end of the seminar, Eugene Kouadio from Radio Saint-Michelin Gueyo welcomed UNOCI's initiative to organise the training because he added that if local radio presenters are sensitised on social cohesion and managing rumours, they can pass the message through the airwaves and provide balanced information.