Media training course on: Promoting a positive image of migrants and recognizing their contribution to development in the SADC region

The main objective of the course is to improve the capacity of media professionals on reporting fairly and effectively on the key migration thematic areas covered by the SAMM project. OBJECTIVES • To raise awareness, skills levels and engagement of journalists and editors on migration governance; conditions of migrant workers, persons of concern[1], trafficked victims, smuggled migrants and related issues. This includes positively influencing the public discourse on the causes and consequences as well as the policy, legal and practical measures to address issues related to labour and mixed migration; • To enhance the capacity of key media professionals to better understand migration and PoC challenges and opportunities, and be able to fairly and effectively communicate about them; • To generate high-quality journalism on migration and PoC challenges in the SADC and Indian Ocean Region that raise awareness among policy makers on the need to take measures for improving the conditions of migrants: • To support participants in the formulation of 20 to 30 key “Media campaigns” messages related to policy, legislation or migration practices and data per the following three target groups: a) migrant workers; b) trafficking victims and smuggled migrants; c) Persons of concern (including refugees, asylum-seekers, stateless persons, the internally displaced, and returnees. CONTENT • What the media needs to be aware of. • Combatting hate speech by promoting a positive image of migrants and POC • Recognizing POC migrants’ contribution to development • Getting the evidence-based story right • Reporting fairly and effectively: Telling the POC and migrants’ story • The media as a stakeholder, partner, critic and conscience: Monitoring the impact of fair reporting • Formulation of 20 to 30 key “Media campaign” messages • Individual assignment