Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09COTONOU264
2009-06-24 05:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Cotonou
Cable title:  

BENIN: IRC BOOK DISCUSSION: "PRATIQUE DU JOURNALISME"

Tags:  KIRC KPAO OEXC SCUL BN 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO7590
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHCO #0264/01 1750528
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 240528Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0981
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1469
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
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"

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