Yerevan Hosted Training on the Role of the Mass Media and NGOs in Combating Torture
16:54, July 22, 2015 | News, Own news | Right to be free from torture and inhuman or degrading treatmentOn March 14, 2015, the HCA Vanadzor held training in Yerevan on the Role of the Mass Media and NGOs in Combating Torture for journalists and human rights defenders. The training was facilitated by Georgian experts, Tina Tsomaya and Nino Danelia, lecturers at the Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management (CSJMM), Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA). The training aimed to improve the professional capacities of journalists and human rights defenders in absolute prohibition of torture and other manifestations of ill-treatment. During the training, the participants raised and discussed issues related to the coverage of the human rights violations, particularly torture and other manifestations of ill-treatment, as well as the significance and method of their coverage. Also, the trauma factor and journalism ethics were considered. The participants also learnt about the media communications guidelines, novel media tools and information graphics (infographics). They highlighted the need for psychological self-defense of journalists, and the experts shared some helpful tips. Along with the theoretical part, the training comprised practical activities. During such activities, the participants familiarized themselves with some specific techniques of how to communicate with victims or their relatives, as well as some professional nuances and fundamental principles. The participants and trainees shared some examples of successful and failed media coverage of ill-treatment manifestations. They also discussed the public reaction to accidents, relevant articles and TV broadcasts. The training was funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, within the Human Rights to Marzes (Regions) Project implemented jointly with the Human Rights House Tbilisi. The Armenia-based partners of the Project are the Human Rights House Yerevan and Asparez Journalists’ Club.