Project Media toolkit on “Reporting on Labour Migration in the SADC region” and Media competition awards ceremony

The SAMM Project has made significant strides in promoting a positive image of migrants and Persons of Concern (PoC) through various initiatives, including media training and the development of a Labour Migration Media Toolkit. 

The toolkit is designed to guide journalists and media professionals in balanced and factual reporting on labour migration in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Furthermore, the SAMM Media Competition on Labour Migration recognized and awarded exemplary journalism that covers labour migration issues, combats negative stereotypes, and promotes social cohesion.

Development of the Media Toolkit event followed a comprehensive process that involved four phases:

Phase 1: Training of Trainers (ToT) Cohort

Phase 2: Toolkit Development was done in work sessions, and in consultation amongst key players, the consultant, Training of Trainers members, technical colleagues, and REC representatives to contextualize the toolkit for country-specific applications. The drafting of the toolkit was completed based on these consultations.

Phase 3: Media Toolkit was launched through a hybrid event.

Phase 4: Online Conversion, the toolkit was converted into an online, self-guided course format for broader accessibility as well as availability of the toolkit in 3 languages, English, French and Portuguese.

SAMM Project Manager, Ms Gloria Moreno Fontes, shared “This media toolkit aims to foster contributions to the United Nations TOGETHER: Respect, Security and Dignity for all Refugees and Migrants” campaign launched in 2016 by the UN Secretary-General. The UN TOGETHER campaign has the purpose of promoting global action in promoting non-discrimination and addressing the problem of rising xenophobia against migrants and refugees. TOGETHER is a growing coalition of Member States, private sector, civil society representatives and individuals committed to combat hate speech, change negative narratives on migration and to strengthen the social cohesion between host communities and refugees and migrants.”

The Media toolkit launch was followed by the Labour migration media competition award ceremony. The Media Competition on Labour Migration was initiated to recognize journalists and media practitioners who produce outstanding work on labour migration, promoting evidence-based reporting and highlighting migrant workers' contributions to economic and social development.

In total 21 entries were received, 20 written articles and 1 multimedia piece, from SADC Countries, namely Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Three prizes were awarded:

 1st Prize was awarded to Mr Silas Nkala for his article titled “Zimbabwean migrants making it big in South Africa

2nd Prize went to Mr Joseph Phiri for his radio interview on Refugees Inclusion into the economy of Zambia.

The 3rd prize was awarded to Mr Theseus Shambare for his article titled “R5 billion for ex-Wenela payouts” published in Zimbabwe’s Sunday Mail.

This structured approach ensures that the SAMM Project’s Media Toolkit and Competition not only raise awareness about labour migration but also foster an environment of accurate, empathetic, and constructive media reporting in the SADC region.