Baghdad The United Nations Development Program in Iraq has issued a guide to citizen journalism as one of the outputs of the training program for young media professionals.

A statement of the program stated: “The guide included citizen journalism tools, journalistic ethics, and drafting reports on conflicts, with the aim of enhancing societal cohesion in Iraq.”

It added: “The media component of the Social Cohesion Program of the United Nations Development Program seeks to support unity among the components of society through the use of social media platforms, conducting national competitions, preparing and publishing media stories, training and capacity building for media professionals, with a focus on the youth segment.”

It explained: “The guide, which is entitled (Using Citizen Journalism Tools to Enhance Community Cohesion) constitutes a reference for citizen journalism tools for young media professionals, students, and academics, and facilitates the preparation of products that contribute to building positive journalism aimed at finding solutions in Iraq.”

It continued, “Copies of the guide, which is also available on the Internet, will be distributed to media faculties, students, and media professionals in both Arabic and Kurdish.”

The Citizen Journalism Project, launched by the United Nations Development Program in Iraq in December 2020, supported 120 young Iraqi journalists, bloggers and social media activists from Baghdad, Anbar, Nineveh, Salah al-Din, Diyala, Dhi Qar, Najaf, Karbala and the Kurdistan Region. The project is implemented in partnership with Tammuz Organization for Social Development and Sabq Center for Media Development.

The second phase of the citizen journalism project will include discussions and sessions for media representatives on the media landscape in Iraq and a competition for short films on promoting community cohesion and diversity in Iraqi societies.

These activities will complement the online platform (Diversity) launched by the participants in the first phase to publish stories, photos and videos on peace building and strengthening community cohesion in Iraq.
The statement quoted the resident representative of the United Nations Development Program in Iraq, Zina Ali Ahmed: “Supporting citizen journalism in Iraq, in light of the media landscape that is constantly changing towards more focus on Internet journalism, is vital to ensuring the formulation of comprehensive press reports.”

She added: “The issuance of this guide and electronic platform allows all Iraqis to participate in publishing various stories from their communities.”

The United Nations Development Program in Iraq, launched in 2020, a five-year program dedicated to / to strengthen social cohesion / in order to work on the existence of stronger, peaceful and cohesive societies in all parts of Iraq, while making working with the media and citizen journalism one of the priority areas within this program.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency