BENIN GPRA REPORT: EDWARD R. MURROW PROGRAM FOR JOURNALISTS

UNCLAS COTONOU 000796 PARIS FOR ARS (DWINTON) DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY),AF/W (ACOOK) SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KIRC OIIP KDEM KPAO KISL PINR ML SUBJECT: BENIN GPRA REPORT: EDWARD R. MURROW PROGRAM FOR JOURNALISTS OCTOBER 6-24, 2008 REF: SECSTATE 092116 ¶1. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY: Benin's participant in the Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists, Fernand Nouwligbeto, journalist at "Agence Proximites," returned to Benin and debriefed the Acting Public Affairs Officer and the Cultural Affairs Assistant about his visit. He was very satisfied with the program and promised to share with his office colleagues the insights, knowledge and perceptions he gained during the program in the U.S. ¶2. DATE OF ACTIVITY: October 6-24, 2008; first quarter, FY 09. ¶3. PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION/OBJECTIVES: The program was an opportunity for Fernand Nouwligbeto to get a better understanding of the rights and responsibilities of a free press in a democracy, observe operational practices, standards and institutions of the media in the U.S., and gain insight into the social, economic and political structures of the U.S. ¶4. MPP UMBRELLA THEMES AND AUDIENCE REACHED: Subject program meets Post's objectives in Promoting Democracy, Good governance, Human Rights and Mutual Understanding. ¶5. ACTIVITIES/IMPACT/RESULTS: During the debriefing session, Fernand Nouwligbeto said he was struck by American hospitality. He said that he found Americans to be eager to welcome guests, help them, orient them and answer their questions. He noticed the American notion of time and punctuality. He was also impressed with the freedom of the press in the U.S.. There is seldom any abuse of media professionals' liberties, as is the case in Benin and other African countries. Access to public information is guaranteed. There are dynamic press enterprises that have existed for centuries. Nevertheless, due to the development of the new technologies of information and communication, especially Internet, and the emergence of "citizen journalism" (blogs) the traditional media, particularly print media have been experiencing economic difficulties and a loss of audience. In spite of all these difficulties, traditional U.S. media are working hard to adjust to the new situation. As an immediate result of his participation, Fernand Nouwligbeto organized a lessons-learned workshop with his office colleagues and correspondents of Agence Proximites in the West African sub region and shared with them his U.S. experience and the opportunities offered by the IVLP. From his visits at U.S. media outlets, he retained their great capacity for adaptation, their sense of innovation and their viability despite economic difficulties. Taking into account the socio economic and cultural context of Benin, he intended to apply these notions to Agence Proximites so as to allow the press agency to become more visible on the information market. Considering the U.S. experience, Fernand Nouwligbeto is more determined than ever to defend freedom of the press in Benin in his journalistic productions as well as in his involvement in the networks and associations of information and communication professionals. ¶6. The participant found the program to be well organized and tightly focused. There was a great variety of activities. Nonetheless, for the next program, he suggested visits to organizations that support Southern media. He wished there could have been sessions on the legal aspect and the administrative, financial and commercial management of American media. ¶7. NON-USG SOURCES OF IN-COUNTRY FUNDING/IN KIND SUPPORT: None ¶8. QUALITY OF USG SUPPORT: Excellent. The participant was very impressed by the quality and professionalism of the speakers, ELOs and programs. BROWN