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UNESCO strengthens cooperation with the East African Court of Justice on judicial reporting through IPDC
Among citizens and member states of the East African Community (EAC), few are aware of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’). This is despite the Court’s important role in the region’s integration agenda.
Media is an important enabler that can be leveraged positively to address this awareness and knowledge gap. Recognizing its crucial role in bridging the gap between the court and East Africa Community (EAC) citizens, UNESCO supported the East Africa Court of Justice (EAC) to convene a regional training for editors and journalists on judicial reporting at the East Africa Community (EAC) Headquarters from 11 to 13 March, in Arusha, Tanzania.
The training responds to the gap in quality judicial reporting across the region and seeks to enhance the visibility of the court to member states and citizens across EAC.
As emphasized by Hon. Justice Nestor Kayobera, Judge President of the East Africa Court of Justice (EACJ) in his opening remarks, the media is a critical pillar and key player in informing East Africans about the court’s decisions and related implications in integration agenda of EAC. This was echoed by Deputy Registrar, Ms Christine Mutimura, in her reflections on the growth of the EACJ over the last 22 years since its inception, as she acknowledged the role of the media in holding partner states accountable in implementing the EACJ’s decisions.
This training is timely as court seeks to create more awareness through the media to inform the publics and citizens in member states about its mandate and enhance corporation with partner states to implement its decisions.
Established in November 2001, the EACJ is one of the organs of the East African Community. Its key mandate is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty. By ensuring justice, rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms in accordance with East African Community Law, the Court is a critical pillar in the realization of regional integration.
Other participants observed that dialogue on regional integration and continental unity remains scarce among the public. In addition to informing and educating the public, editors and journalists can also take the lead in catalyzing more critical conversations within countries and across states.
Speaking on behalf of Achilleus Rweramila, Chief Executive Officer for East Africa Law Society (EALS), Mr. David Sigano reminded editors and journalists present on the media’s role in upholding truth, accountability, and transparency, particularly in reporting on court judgements.
Your role in reporting on court judgments with accuracy, fairness, and ethical rigour is fundamental to maintaining the integrity of our legal system and ensuring public trust in the pursuit of justice and promoting the rule of law.
Participants also had the opportunity to network and form new partnerships for peer-peer learning and experience sharing. A diverse scope of theoretical sessions, hands-on activities and interactive case studies were curated to upskill editors and journalists on a various areas, including:
East African Community institutional framework
EACJ Jurisprudence
Media’s role in implementing Court’s decision
Effective editing and reporting
Ethics of Court reporting
Reporting of Court proceedings
This intervention supported by further strengthens the 5-year MoU signed between EACJ and UNESCO to promote freedom of expression, access to information and rule of law in the EAC.
UNESCO is glad to partner with the court to strengthen capacities of journalists and editors for improved factual, timely and authentic judicial reporting in Eastern Africa. I am glad to see representatives of media from all the Eastern Africa Commission countries present at this training.
32 participants comprising of comprising of 20 men and 12 women from East Africa Commission Member States were present at the three-day workshop, including Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, South Sudan.
UNESCO’s IPDC is the only multilateral forum in the UN system that seeks to promote media development and healthy environment for free and pluralistic media in developing countries.
