Media and social cohesion in Iraq

Journalism practices in the specific context of Iraq, responsibilities of the media in the process of social cohesion and workshops based on specialities (radio, written and video) provided the structure for the three sessions.

Following a call for applications launched in October 2019, 45 journalists aged under 35 and from Nineveh Governorate, in which Mosul is located, were selected to take part in three training sessions. The first training session was held in December 2019, in the city of Sulaymaniyah. A refresher was given on the fundamentals of the profession, which were debated through the prism of the Iraqi context. The interest of the attendees in the issues covered, such as ethics, format diversity and the importance of investigation, was palpable. Details were also given regarding the safety precautions to follow online and in the field.

During the second session, held in Erbil in January 2020, trainers demonstrated how the work of journalists and the reconstruction process are intertwined. The selection of subject matter, the consideration of gender issues and the inclusion of minorities are all factors that illustrate the importance of the media in promoting social cohesion.

Key role of journalists in the reconciliation processes

The third training session, based on specialities, has just been completed. Around ten attendees chose the written press format, around ten more chose radio and around twenty chose video. Alternating between technical explanations and simulations, these workshops enabled attendees to obtain new practical skills. Emphasis was also placed on techniques adapted to online consultation, particularly on social networks.
Formats involving podcasts, hard-hitting videos and “infotainment" were examined.

These three complementary training courses will serve as the basis for the next stages of the project. The journalists left these workshops with a mission: to create a high-quality report, within two months, covering an issue relating to social cohesion in the region. The best reports will be rewarded and disseminated by the project's media partners.