By: Gloria Angmorkie Anderson
A media consultant, Gabriel Baglo has advised journalists in Africa to report cases of abuse and provide accurate information on Business and Human Rights (BHR). Mr. Baglo, a communication and media development Consultant, from Dakar, Senegal, gave the advice during a five-day journalist’s programme organized by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung in Accra, Ghana, on the sidelines of the AU forum on Business and Human Rights.
He described the role of the media as crucial to combat disinformation and provide accurate information on BHR.
According to him, journalists reporting on BHR might face some threats offline and online but they must endeavor to engage in fact-finding. ”The present situation of BHR in Africa demands a proactive response from the media.
They should disseminate accurate information on BHR and use as many sources as possible, Mr. Baglo added.
”Among sources the media can use include; human rights lawyers, human right defenders, human rights institutions, trade unions and actors of Corporate Social Responsibility,” he said.
The media consultant said that journalists should also focus on the victims, communities and workers as well as perpetrators of human rights abuse. Baglo speaking on the role of the media in the BHR agenda entreated journalists to highlight the role played by the state to protect the potential victim.
He added that the role played by enterprises to respect the potential victims should be thoroughly investigated.
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