The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) with the Cultural Consulate of the Islamic Republic of Iran have held a Media Workshop to train journalists on how to navigate the conflict news reporting.

The workshop that saw more than 50 journalists from various Ugandan media houses/organizations in attendance was held at the Consulate’s offices in Kampala.
Using the prevailing Gaza conflict between the Israel and Pakstan as a case study, journalists were challenged to always be mindful of their watch dog role while covering such beats.

Dr. Aisha Nakiwala one of the facilitators from Makerere University Journalism and Mass Com Department observed that the conflicts have got a lot interests involved by various global powers such as capitalism, religious undertones, racial diversities, colonial influence, etc, therefore journalists should be careful while picking the requisite information for their local audiencies. “They should localize the factual information”.
Dr. Nakiwala noted that 95 journalists had lost their lives in Gaza for covering the conflict, saying it is regrettable. Nakiwala irked the need for safety of the conflict journalist covering before she could challenge the Ugandan journalists to draw lessons out the same.

The Makerere University Journalism and Mass com lecturer observed that some of the Gaza conflict facts had been skewed , challenging the journalists to write and report in the manner that addresses the said biases. “We need to address the biases in the Gaza war and correct them as journalists during news reports”

Nakiwala tipped journalists on how to contexualize issues that are subject for coverage before emphasizing the essence of reliable information sharing.
The UJA Secretary for External Relations Issa Kigongo thanked the Iran Embassy for partnering with UJA to train the Ugandan journalists.

The Embassy’s Cultural Counselor Abdollah Abbasi thanked UJA for working with the Embassy,committing to extend support for more journalists workshops in all parts of the country.
Iran’s Ambassador to Uganda H.E Majid Saffar praised the Ugandan good relationship with Iran that has enable journalists to reap some benefits out of it.