iWatch Africa trains journalists on handling workplace abuse

The Executive Director of Targeted Rights Initiative, Doreen Raheena Sulleyman, has urged journalists, particularly female journalists in Ghana and globally, to report instances of abuse in the workplace to the appropriate authorities.

She emphasised that documenting such incidents is crucial to preventing them from recurring and setting a precedent for future cases.

Sulleyman made these remarks during a capacity-building program for journalists in Accra on Friday, August 30, 2024, in an interview with The Sikaman Times.

She outlined the relevant workplace authorities to whom such reports should be made, including newsroom managers, editors, or general managers, depending on the organisation’s structure.

“You should report to your newsroom manager, your editor, or even the general manager. Every institution has its own designated channels for reporting issues, so it’s important to follow the correct procedure,” she advised.

Sulleyman also suggested that beyond formal reporting, journalists should consider confiding in a friend, family member, or colleague to help alleviate the emotional burden of the abuse.

“A problem shared is a problem half solved,” she said, encouraging victims to seek emotional support before taking further steps.

Additionally, she recommended that newsrooms employ counsellors and psychologists to provide guidance and support for journalists dealing with such issues.

At the same event, Phillip Banini, the team lead for iWatch Africa, mentioned that the training was designed to help journalists address the challenges of misinformation and disinformation, particularly during election periods.

He noted that iWatch Africa has been conducting these capacity-building programs for three years.