By Michael Oche
African journalists have resolved to unite in a bid to change the negative stereotypes surrounding migrant workers, particularly those from the continent.
For years, media representation of African labor migration has been dominated by narratives that portray migrants primarily as victims fleeing poverty or conflict.
This limited perspective has fueled discrimination, low wages, poor working conditions, xenophobia, and inadequate protection for African migrant workers.
In response, journalists are now committing to challenging these entrenched stereotypes and highlighting the resilience, contributions, and humanity of African migrants through fair and balanced reporting.
The commitment emerged from a three-day workshop in Kigali, Rwanda, organized by the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa).
Participants at the workshop agreed that fair and balanced reporting of labour migration will not only help improve public understanding of migration but will foster greater appreciation for the economic and social contributions of migrant workers.
FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman in his address emphasized the importance of collaboration among journalists to counter misinformation and disinformation surrounding labour migration.
Our correspondent reports that despite data from various sources indicating that most Africans migrate through regular means, media portrayals often focus on irregular migration, perpetuating stereotypes that undermine the contributions of migrant workers.
“Together, we can make a difference on how migration is understood in Africa and around the world,” Omar said.
He explained that the workshop was necessitated by the need to improve journalists’ understanding of labour migration.
“We must report on both the struggles and the significant contributions migrant workers make to society,” he said.
He said further that, “We, as journalists need to shed light on the plight of African migrant workers. We have felt that there is a significant gap in journalists’ understanding on how migration is reported. We must not only shed light on the plight of migrants but most importantly, we must shape the African narratives, in terms of what we expect from migration and how we want to see African migrants as human beings and how they should be treated.”
The journalists’ pledge has been welcomed by ITUC-Africa, which has long advocated for rights-based migration governance.
Akhator Joel Odigie, General Secretary of ITUC-Africa, while speaking to journalists at the end of the workshop, highlighted the critical role of the media in shaping public perceptions on migration.
Odigie posited that balanced reporting by journalists will not only contribute to shaping a positive narrative, but will ensure better protection of the human and labour rights of migrant workers.
He said, “We want to see the work of media professionals contributing to education and awareness for potential labour migrants, so that dangerous, desperate migration journeys can change. We also hope that by changing public perception, we will help in reducing xenophobic hate against migrants on our continent and outside the continent.”
Odigie also emphasized the need for the media to amplify the voices of of migrant workers, particularly women, who face additional vulnerabilities due to gender inequality.
He said, “Importantly also, we want to see how the media reporting footprint can also help in better accentuation of the voices of migrant workers, especially female migrants, whose situation, when you put the asymmetry of power dynamics between the male and female, they are on the lower side. And then within the world of work, given patriarchy and stereotypes they are so disadvantaged, we want to see how we can help improve their wellbeing.”
In his remarks ILO chief technical advisor, Ephrem Getnet charged participants to use the knowledge they have acquired to improve their reporting.
He said the Organisation is committed to supporting journalists through provision of accurate data and other technical assistance.
The workshop had participants from over 15 African countries, including Nigeria, Cameroon,Ghana, Burkina-Faso, Togo, TChad, Zimbabwe, Tunisia, Djibouti, Somalia, Rwanda, Cote d’Ivoire, among others
