Report first meeting of the Coalition of African Anti-tobacco Journalists

International Convention Center Durban, 21 November 2008, 11 African journalists present during third Conference of Parties (COP3) held a meeting to put in place and a group of African anti-tobacco journalists.

The main idea behind this meeting was a reflection on the setting up of a framework of African journalists who could enforce the efforts of FCA in their struggle to control tobacco in the world and Africa in particular.

 At the start of the discussion, Tih Armstrong Ntiabang, a free lance journalist from Cameroon took the floor to remind participants of the devastating effects of tobacco in the world particularly in African countries. It is because of this that we, journalists and communication experts have the duty to work in synergy in order to boost the fight against tobacco. He went further to say that in order to prevent the population from being enticed by the generous mask worn by the tobacco industries, journalists and communication experts are faced by the challenge to develop communication strategies on anti-tobacco that will reach the general public and this can only be done through networking and harmonization of our efforts.

 

Raphaël KIBAMBE Journalist from the RDC pointed out that meeting here at COP3 is a unique opportunity for us to form a network to better relay information on tobacco control to the masses who are the number one victims of this “killer industry”.

 

“Tobacco control is not an issue in most of our countries. There are no statistics of tobacco deaths in our hospitals…difficult to access information on tobacco, there is no guarantee that our media organs are 100% determined to crush down the tobacco industry…” says Linda NYONDO from Zambia. According to her, the idea of setting up such a coalition is very pertinent as it will enable us to exchange reliable information on tobacco amongst ourselves. 

 

Discussions turned around the tobacco industry certain giving “underground subventions” to some media organs in our countries. This makes it almost impossible for some journalists to place the “rotten fish on the table” for fear to lose their jobs.

Charles Ligan from Benin insisted on the social responsibility of journalists. “Journalists from every part of the world have a fundamental role to play in informing, educating and sensitizing the population on the effects of tobacco and on the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control…” As an adding to what the others have said, he emphasized on the fact that this thematic group of journalists will help exchange experiences and enforce the work of FCA and other anti-tobacco organizations such as the American Cancer Society, ATCRI etc.

 

 Reflecting on the nature of such a coalition, some suggested the formation of an executive committee but others held that it is better to start with a limited secretariat who will be in charge of coordinating the “future” activities of the coalition. This led to a collective nomination of Tih Armstrong Ntiabang to coordinate the activities with the assistance of Radha RANGASAMY journalist from Mauritius Island. Criteria for their nomination were: Bilingualism (French and English), Initiators of the idea, and willingness to be committed to coordinate the activities.  Charles Ligan was the third person who appointed to join the two in the coordination of activities. 

 

Below is the vision, global objectives and specific objectives of the coalition:

 

Vision: An Africa informed on the harmful effects of tobacco and lures of tobacco industries

 

Global objectives:  promote public health through information, education and communication for behavioral change

 

Specific Objectives:

·        Help each other on current tobacco issues (seek advice from experts, )

·        Support NGOs and other anti-tobacco advocates in Africa in their communication strategies

·        Monitor the implementation of the framework convention on tobacco control in our various countries

·        Capacity building for journalist in the treatment of information, information research, publishing on anti tobacco and other related issues

·        Investigate on the maneuvers (tricks) of tobacco industries

·        Agglomerate articles, efforts, TV-Radio programmes (communication tools) produced on anti-tobacco

·        Offer communication services to organizations willing to relay information on anti-tobacco e.g. collaborate with existing organizations (FCA, ATCRI, ACS etc.) in their anti-tobacco efforts

·        Information exchange amongst ourselves

·        Equip journalists with the necessary tools for their effective communication of tobacco control related issues

 

 

Radha RANGASAMY

Charles Dossou LIGAN

Tih Armstrong NTIABANG