BENIN: IRC BOOK DISCUSSION: "PRATIQUE DU JOURNALISME"

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COTONOU 000266

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 18,2009, 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 the PAO's, Rhonda Watson, opening remarks, she
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,
PAS/IRCD Mr. Bienvenu Akodigna explained the resources available on
the U.S. 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, Mr. 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 also enhanced by the fact that he had taken part in
the White House Pre-Trip Radio Roundtable Program prior to President
George W. Bush's February 2008 visit 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 One focuses on the new mainstreams
and tools of the profession, Part Two explains how to specialize in
a field, and Part Three 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 of Benin, 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 relating 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

COTONOU 00000266 002 OF 002


and Combating Corruption - Maintaining Beninese Support for the
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