BENIN: IRC BOOK DISCUSSION: "PRATIQUE DU JOURNALISME"

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COTONOU 000264 DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY),AF/W (ACOOK) PARIS FOR ARS (DWINTON) SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KIRC KPAO OEXC SCUL BN SUBJECT: BENIN: IRC BOOK DISCUSSION: "PRATIQUE DU JOURNALISME" ¶1. SUMMARY: On June 18, the U.S. Embassy hosted a well-attended book discussion at the American Cultural Center (ACC) Information Resource Center (IRC). The discussion, led by Beninese journalist Jean Jonas Tossa, focused on the Africa Regional Service (ARS) Nouveaux Horizons book titled, "Pratique du Journalisme" (Getting the story: An Advanced Reporting Guide to Beats, Records and Sources). In her opening remarks, PAO Rhonda J. Watson explained that this book discussion, geared toward the media, was a follow-up to the week-long journalist training given by Eduardo Cue at the ACC in May 2008. She also noted that this book discussion, part of the IRC monthly programming, falls in line with one of the Embassy's priorities, which is to promote the development of an informed, trained, and professional media, capable of serving as the foundation for a strong democratic society. END SUMMARY ¶2. DATE OF ACTIVITY: June 19; Third quarter, FY 09. ¶3. PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION/OBJECTIVES: Post held this book discussion as a PAS regular program and to promote IRC resources as well as ARS Paris Nouveaux Horizons publications. ¶3. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY: As part of the opening ceremony, IRCD Bienvenu Akodigna explained the resources available on the Department of State website, America.Gov, where participants can access a wide range of information resources. Participants were happy to learn that they could access articles covering current issues, E-journals, IIP brochures, blogs including the recent one regarding President Barack Obama's speech in Cairo and web chats that they can participate in from any computer with Internet access. The PAO introduced the speaker, Jean Jonas Tossa, as an alumnus of the Summer Institute on Journalism and Media program held at the University of Florida from June 29 to August 10, 2008, where he learned, first hand, the principles underlying freedom of the press and the journalist's responsibility for reporting the news accurately and truthfully and the responsibility they hold to keep public officials responsible through investigative reports. Tossa's credibility was enhanced, also, by the fact that he had taken part in to the White House Pre-Trip Radio Roundtable program prior to President George W. Bush's February 2008visit to Benin. The book "Pratique du Journalisme" published by ARS Paris Nouveaux Horizons is a translation by Henry Shulte and Marcel P. Dufresne of the book with the original title, "Getting the story: An Advanced Reporting Guide to Beats, Records and Sources". The book has three sections. Part 1 focuses on the new mainstreams and tools of the profession. Part 2 explains how to specialize in a field, and part 3 features problems faced by journalists and how to resolve such problems while still abiding by the ethics of journalism. The audience especially appreciated the discussion leader's ability to masterfully intertwine the principles discussed in the book with concrete examples of journalistic problems in Benin. For example, he cited an example of an environmental clean-up disaster that has gone unreported by the press. He also noted financial irregularities in certain government Ministries that have not been the subject of any investigative report. In analyzing the problems facing the media in Benin, the speaker spoke of issues such as the lack of formal training and the poor quality of articles released in the press, the symbiotic relationship between some media outlets and the Government and raised questions about how a responsible press should deal with privacy issues concerning public figures. In his presentation, Tossa encouraged the participants to take advantage of the opportunities provided by new information technology that allow reporters to use various techniques to make their newspapers quickly accessible to the public. Posting a website and starting a blog are the most advanced technologies used today by journalists and media specialists in Benin. During the question and answer period following his presentation, participants raised questions regarding the responsibilities of journalists, the possibility of threats against reporters covering cases of corruption and sensitive issues, and how far a reporter can go regarding issues related to privacy. Participants completed an evaluation survey of the program, which the PAO used to conduct a drawing to select five lucky participants who received a copy of the book. The names of these participants will be added to the PAS data base so they can be invited to future journalism events. The PAO also promised to send them a listing of bloggers in Benin and E-journals that would be of interest. ¶4. MPP UMBRELLA THEMES AND AUDIENCE REACHED: Bolstering Democracy and Combating Corruption - Maintaining Beninese Support for the COTONOU 00000264 002 OF 002 United States. The event attracted over 70 guests, including Editors-in-Chief of media outlets, journalists, reporters of local branches of international broadcasting services, and students in Media and Communications. At least fifteen media outlets including two TV stations, two radios and eight print media covered this event. ¶5. RESULT/IMPACT: Excellent. The book discussion was very well appreciated by our guests. Participants appreciated the use of examples drawn from the speaker's own experiences and cases taken from local press. Many participants expressed their hope that Post would organize more events of this nature on a regular bi-monthly basis. ¶6. NON-USG SOURCES OF IN-COUNTRY FUNDING/IN KIND SUPPORT: PAS appreciates the time and availability of Mr. Jean Jonas Tossa who agreed to conduct this book discussion ¶7. QUALITY OF USG SUPPORT: None. RAWLINGS