Press Release: 2 November 2009

The Outreach Unit of the ICC strengthen its partnership with local journalists and members of listening clubs of Ituri (DRC)

ICC-CPI-20091030-PR471

Training session for journalists and representatives of listening clubs held in Bunia on 22 October 2009 ©ICC-CPI

The Outreach Team based in Ituri (Eastern District of the Democratic Republic of the Congo) strengthened its existing partnership with journalists and members of the listening clubs of Ituri, through a two-day training and capacity building session held on the 21 and 22 October 2009.

Journalists are key local partners of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for their capacity to relay information and are being trained and informed on a regular basis by the Outreach team in the Field. As for the listening clubs, these are facilities in which influential members of society (such as local leaders, teachers, students, etc.) gather together to listen to radio programs on the ICC and to discuss it. It is fundamental that journalists from community radio as well as members of listening clubs from all over Ituri (including from the most remote parts of the District of Ituri) are well trained in order to accurately inform the population of Ituri on the ICC and its activities.

The aim of this session was, on one hand, to remind the participants of techniques and strategies in treating and disseminating information on the ICC, that is sensitive by nature, and avoiding misinformation; and on the other hand, to provide information to them on the activities of the Court.

During these two days, 35 people including 15 journalists and 20 members of listening clubs from the 5 territories of the District of Ituri were informed on the mandate and work of the ICC as well as on judicial developments from the Court.

At the end of the training session, attendees promised to use the new techniques learned in order to accurately inform the population of Ituri on the ICC and its activities. They will also relay what they learned to their respective communities.

For further information, please contact the International Criminal Court’s Outreach Unit in Ituri on: +243 (0) 99 80 11 418, or by e-mail at the following address: [email protected].