wfn.org | WACC Media Action, 4 May 2009

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

 In this Issue: WACC Statement on World Press Freedom Day.

> Also in this issue:

WACC calls for restoration of media freedom in Fiji.

Christian journalists call for effective use of Internet for
evangelism.

> WACC Africa defines three-year programme.

WACC supported documentary facilitates national process of truth and
reconciliation.

Cover photo: The winning photo for WACC's annual photo competition,
2005. It was submitted by Frederick Omondi from Kenya.

> **Global News**

Press freedom and responsibility go hand in hand

WACC Statement on World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2009

The potential of media in fostering dialogue, mutual understanding
and reconciliation is the theme of the UN World Press Freedom Day
2009.

WACC recognizes ­ along with many others ­ that freedom of the
e
press underlies democracy and enhances freedom of expression. The
capacity of the â??fourth estateâ?? to hold governments and  public
institutions accountable, to inform and alert the worldâ??s people is
indispensible. And never more so than in an age of 24/7 digital
communication. Read more...
<http://www.waccglobal.org/component/content/article/1768:press-freedom-and- responsibility-go-hand-in-hand.html?Itemid=167

> Restore media freedom in Fiji

In the face of the worsening situation in Fiji, where media are
being censored and journalists deported, WACC expresses solidarity
with the island nationâ??s people and especially with WACC members.

Fijiâ??s military government declared a 30-day state of emergency on
10 April under which local news reports critical of the government
were banned and international media coverage subjected to censorship.
Read more...
<http://www.waccglobal.org/component/content/article/1746:restore-media-free dom-in-fiji-.html?Itemid=167

> **Programme updates**

<http://latin-america.waccglobal.org/lang-en/noticias/26-wacc-supported-docu mentary-facilitates-national-process-of-truth-and-reconciliation-.html

WACC supported documentary facilitates national process of truth and
reconciliation

> By Gisèle Langendries, WACC

El Salvador, one of the countries in Latin America which has
suffered one of the most violent internal conflicts in the region, is
coming to terms with the horrific atrocities committed during the
Salvadoran Civil War which raged from 1980 to 1992. During this war,
some 180,000 people died - mostly peasants - thousands of whom were
tortured and â??disappearedâ??. Read more...
<http://www.waccglobal.org/component/content/article/1751:wacc-supported-doc umentary-facilitates-national-process-of-truth-and-reconciliation-.html?Item id=157

> **Regional News**

<http://africa.waccglobal.org/lang-en/photos.html

Christian journalists call for effective use of Internet for
evangelism

> By Lekan Otufodunrin, WACC Africa

Lagos, Nigeria: Journalists for Christ (JFC), a Christian media
group based in Nigeria has urged Christians to effectively use the
Internet for evangelism and win more souls for Christ.

The group made the call in a statement signed by its Administrative
officer, Dayo Emmanuel to mark the World Internet Evangelism Day held
on Sunday, April 26. Read more...
<http://waccglobal.org/component/content/article/1769:christian-journalists- call-for-effective-use-of-internet-for-evangelism-.html?Itemid=169

<http://africa.waccglobal.org/lang-en/photos.html

> WACC Africa defines three-year programme

> By Stella Etemesi, Secretary, WACC Africa

Lomé, Togo: WACC Africa has mapped out its activities for the next
three years at a regional Executive Committee (EXCOM) meeting held in
Lomé, Togo, 26-27 March 2009. This was the first meeting convened by
the EXCOM since their election at the regional General Assembly held
in Cape Town, South Africa, in October 2008, prior to Congress. Read
more...
<http://africa.waccglobal.org/lang-en/news/51-wacc-africa-defines-three-year -programme-.html

> Religion Communication Congress 2010

Chicago, USA: Religion Communication Congress (RCCongress 2010), a
multi-faith forum for all levels of communicators of religion will be
held in Chicago 7-10 April 2010.

The theme of the Congress is Embracing Change: Communicating faith
in todayâ??s world. Read more...
<http://www.waccglobal.org/component/content/article/1750:religion-communica tion-congress-2010-.html?Itemid=175

> **Announcement**

Participate in the Global Media Monitoring Project

The Fourth Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP) takes place in
November, 2009. The world news media will once again come under
scrutiny. During each GMMP, the network partners from womenâ??s rights
organizations, grassroots groups, media associations, university
students and researchers across the world come together to collect
data on selected indicators of gender in their local news media. The
research results are applied by media practitioners, civil society
organisations concerned about gender equality, intergovernmental
agencies and others as a tool for change towards gender equality. GMMP
is the largest and longest longitudinal study on the representation of
women in the worldâ??s media. For more information, click here?
<http://www.whomakesthenews.org/

> **Pictorial news**

<http://africa.waccglobal.org/lang-en/photos.html

Members of the WACC Africa regional Executive Committee at a meeting
in Lomé, Togo, 26-27 March, to map out regional activities for the
next three years. Read more...
<http://africa.waccglobal.org/lang-en/news/51-wacc-africa-defines-three-year -programme-.html

<http://africa.waccglobal.org/lang-en/photos.html

Members of Journalists for Christ (JFC), a media group based in
Lagos, Nigeria. The media group, a WACC partner, recently called on
Church and Ministry leaders to incorporate the use of internet into
their evangelism strategy to reach more people. Read more...
<http://africa.waccglobal.org/lang-en/news/54-christian-journalists-call-for -effective-use-of-internet-for-evangelism.html

> **Letters to the Editor**

Suva, Fiji: Thank you for the regular WACC News

> Thank you for the regular WACC News.

I share the information with other networks in WACC Pacific Region.
I also include relevant stories in our weekend community radio news
broadcasts.

> Vinaka-Shukriya, Peace!

> Sharon Bhagwan Rolls

Coordinator: femLINKPACIFIC - Media Initiatives for Women

> Suva, Fiji

www.femlinkpacific.org.fj <http://www.femlinkpacific.org.fj/

> April 06, 2009

> ----------

> Toronto, Canada: Taking Sides

I value the way WACC combines the journalistic precept of reporting
both sides of an issue, and the editorial privilege of taking sides.
The motto/brand you use "taking sides" is carried out by clear
declaration of your biases and causes - e.g. women, the poor, the
powerless, the underreported- and then analyzing how media serve these
people -or do them a disservice.

Many of the assumptions of mainstream media (unconsciously?) do them
a disservice, because they by and large serve other constituencies.

Keep on "taking sides". I wish Africafiles had thought of that brand
first!

> Jim Kirkwood

> AFRICAFILES

> Toronto, Canada

> http://www.africafiles.org/

> April 08, 2009

> --------------

Lagos, Nigeria: We are proud to be part of WACC

I am a subscriber of Media Action, the WACC Newsletter, as well as a
self acclaimed WACC supporter in the city of Lagos, Nigeria. Our
organization, Hope for AIDS Outreach, was a beneficiary of WACC
Project Support in 2007, the project that brought out the best in us
as an organization. The project focused on capacity building and
training of Church Leaders to fight against HIV/AIDS stigma and
discrimination.

As a result of the project, the organization was nominated for the
prestigious 2007 Nigerian National Red Ribbon Award in HIV/AIDS, the
only faith-based Organization to ever receive such nomination. Our
organization has become the leading and the most active Faith-Based
HIV/AIDS organization in the city of Lagos with a population of over
15million people.

The project support indicates WACCâ??s relevancy in human rights
advocacy. We are proud to be part of WACC. Keep it up!

We look forward to a continued partnership with WACC. We shall
continue to be at the forefront in using communication in the struggle
against HIV/AIDS stigma among the populace of Lagos.

> Rev. Rex Ajenifuja

> Hope for HIV/AIDS Int'l

> 78, Palm Avenue, Mushin

> Lagos, Nigeria

> April 04, 2009