African journalists receive tips on balanced reporting

The dean of The American University in Cairo, Nabil Fahmy, has urged African journalists from 25 countries on how to report effectively on issues affecting their countries.

This was during the 50th African Journalists Workshop organised by the Union of African Journalists at The American University in Cairo, Egypt.

The African countries which participated in the training are Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Namibia,  Zimbabwe, Cote d'ivoire, Sudan,  Southern Sudan, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Eriteria, central republic Niger, Botswana, South Africa, Liberia, Lesotho, Morocco, Tunisia, Burundi, Senegal, Gabon, Djibouti, Burkina Faso, Malawi and Egypt.

Fahmy said journalism is a unique profession with tremendous opportunities.

While addressing journalists at Adham Centre, Fahmy said the responsibility of sticking to the truth while reporting provides a more comprehensive picture in the process of report analysis and different skills of recording information.

He advised journalists to always be courageous and open-minded while exposing the dirty linen of their governments.

"Since journalism requires dealing with public goods and services, ensure to convey the truth instead of being used as tools to convey leaders' policies," stated Nahmy.

The workshop was about media analytics in the digital age and print media management.

Dr Hussein Amin, professor of journalism and mass communication at The American University  urged journalists, especially in print media to always be accurate rather than rushing to publish news with grammatical errors .