Medicus Mundi launches Ethical Communication Regulation on Gender-Based Violence
“Media should take responsibility for maintaining and expanding the visibility of matters related to gender-based violence without strengthening the problem and without exposing victims, in order to reduce the negative effects of it”, said Karina Dulobo.
“Maputo is not the [only] centre of attention and it is important that this document covers all journalists in the country, so that they can, through community radios, local newspapers and television media, disseminate the message".
“Media should take responsibility for maintaining and expanding the visibility of matters related to gender-based violence without strengthening the problem and without exposing victims, in order to reduce the negative effects of it”, said Karina Dulobo, Gender Coordinator of medicusmundi, as part of the launch of the Ethical Communication Regulation on Gender-Based Violence, which took place on March 17, 2022, in the Ministry of Gender, Childhood and Social Action, in Maputo.
At the launch event of the Ethical Communication Regulation on Gender-Based Violence, Karina Dulobo referred the need for journalists to improve the quality of coverage of gender-based violence (GVB), based on the regulation presented, which, in her view, should contribute to a broader and more qualified coverage, providing information and instruments that contribute to the improvement of the report on GBV in society.
The Gender Coordinator of medicusmundi also stated that journalists should also know the main terminologies linked to gender themes, especially those related to GBV, noting that this Regulation can serve as guidelines to support journalists in these matters.
“Women are free to make their own decisions and be involved in all processes”.
ʺMaputo is not a country", said Federico Jamisse, Chair of the General Meeting Board of MISA – Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Mozambique), affirming categorically that the institution he represents participated actively in the production of this new regulation. On this occasion, MISA-Mozambique's representative also appealed to journalists not to publish gender matters related exclusively to GBV, but also to offer solutions for society and/or an awakening of those responsible for perpetuating the GBV from the abyss in which they are inserted, in order to transform their conduct from violence into dialogue.
For MISA-Mozambique, it is important that the Regulation reaches newsrooms and that journalists organize lectures and debates on how to report matters related to GVB.
“It is our trend releasing and finishing it in Maputo”, said Federico Jamisse. For Jamisse, “Maputo is not the [only] centre of attention and it is important that this document covers all journalists in the country, so that they can, through community radios, local newspapers and television media, disseminate the message and discourage the practice of gender-based violence”.
Another Achilles heel referred to by this MISA-Mozambique's interlocutor is within the newsrooms themselves, in stating that “women in these institutions are put out at the time of decision-making”. Federico Jamisse, therefore, appealed to journalistic institutions not to exclude women, reaffirming that “it is important that there is a special place for them in newsrooms and editorial offices”. Jamisse finished his intervention by saying that “women are free to make their own decisions and be involved in all processes”.
