Human Rights Education and Racism – The Role of the Media

26 June, 4:00 p.m., Pumpenhaus
Hosted by Society for Threatened Peoples

Ethnic and religious minorities are usually the main victims of racism and its consequences. They need the media to educate the public about the equal and inalienable rights every human being possesses. The media have a great responsibility to inform citizens about what rights they have and about what rights are being stripped by those in power. Showing perpetrators and victims of human rights violations, drawing unvarnished pictures of reality and bringing attention to abuses of power and their roots: only fearless, critical voices can help to achieve equal rights, social progress and larger freedom. Media have been known to educate the public and by confronting falsehoods helping to reverse ethnic and religious divisions. But at other times they spread falsehoods and become an instrument of those who want to create or deepen divisions.

A panel with representatives from several African countries will explore how the media in their respective societies have fared in educating the public and shaping opinions and cultural attitudes in regards to the pervasive problem of racism.

Panelists:

Ebeid, Brahim Bilal
Vice President, Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement, Nouakchott, Mauritania

Ibrahim, Prof. Fouad
Professor Emeritus, Institute of Geography, University of Bayreuth, Germany

Schedler, Hanno (Moderator)
Deputy Head, Africa/Asia Desk, Society for Threatened Peoples, Göttingen, Germany