Event reports
Libya has become one of the main transit countries for refugees trying to reach Europe over the Mediterranean Sea. At the same time, political instability and security problems in the country make it difficult for journalists to gather reliable information and report independently on topics related to migration. This lack of reliable migration reporting allows false information to circulate, which hinders the development of more effective approaches by international actors to help migrants and refugees in Libya. In order to fill this information gap, the KAS Regional Program Political Dialogue South Mediterranean invited 15 Libyan journalists to Tunis from 24 October to 1 November 2016 for a training on migration reporting. In cooperation with Libyan Cloud News Agency the 10-day training was organized provide insight into topics related to migration. The training sessions thus covered among others the topics of migratory movements in transit countries, the legal status of refugees and migrants, internally displaced persons, as well as international mechanisms related to migration and transitional justice in Libya. Additionally, the training aimed to impart journalistic knowledge and skills, such as ethical standards of journalism and conflict-sensitive journalism.
The training also served as first step for a prolonged partnership with Libyan Cloud News Agency and the promotion of reliable and independent migration reporting from Libya through a newly established online platform.