Burundi – The UN Migration Agency (IOM) organized a training for 20 journalists from National Radio and Television in Bujumbura, Burundi, on migration management, terminology, references and definitions to strengthen their reporting skills.

Burundi, a small landlocked country in the Great Lakes Region of Africa, has experienced a complex migration flow over the years. As in every country, journalists play a key role in helping unravel the more complex dimensions of migration for Burundi’s population. Properly informed reporting is especially critical when discussing migrants in vulnerable situations, including victims of trafficking, those suffering from mental health illnesses, and unaccompanied migrant children.

“The media are crucial social actors in promoting safe migration and understanding those in vulnerable situations,” said Kristina Mejo, IOM Burundi Chief of Mission, emphasizing the importance of media in creating a responsible and positive narrative on migration. “Migration can play a productive role if managed effectively. We all have a responsibility to uphold the dignity of every single migrant.”

“I appreciate the idea of having organized this training and the exchanges that resulted,” said Dieudonné Nkurunziza, National Radio and Television Web, following the training.

The training aimed to increase each participant’s knowledge of migration terminology and the work of IOM. Topics included migration concepts, the difference between smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons, ethical reporting in relation to confidentiality and informed consent, accurate mental health reporting, and the importance of informing migrants of fraud risks they might face.

“I am better able to understand the difference between the concepts of people smuggling and human trafficking and this will allow me to improve the quality of my reporting concerning the fight against these kinds of human rights violations,” said Haidara Hakizimana, National Radio and Television Journalist and Voice of America (VOA) Swahili Correspondent.

For further information, please contact Niamh McEvoy at IOM Burundi, Tel: +257 75 400 339, Email: nmcevoy@iom.int