TORONTO – Global News and Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) are joining forces on a partnership designed to improve journalism in Africa.
Over the next year, Global News will deploy six of its journalists to JHR's offices across Africa for three weeks at a time. While there, they will assist JHR's team to train local journalists to report on human rights and governance issues more effectively.
"We are honoured to be partnering with Journalists for Human Rights to create a program that will both further the cause of democracy and provide our journalists with an opportunity no other broadcast organization offers," said Global News VP Troy Reeb, in Monday’s announcement. "This is an unprecedented initiative for our journalists to not only contribute to communities beyond our immediate borders, but one that helps to support stronger journalism and democratic development – principles supported by Shaw."
As Canada's largest Canadian media development organization, JHR's programs empower African journalists to give a voice to the voiceless and hold their local governments to account.
"As Arab Spring has shown, the media has a huge role to play in efforts to improve human rights and democracy across Africa," said JHR executive director Rachel Pulfer. "We are thrilled that Global News has committed their talented correspondents to help our efforts, and has set an example for other Canadian media organizations to give back."
