The Human-Rights Based Approach to Development Has Life in Media and Journalism
Summary:
The human rights-based approach (HRBA) to development emerged in 90s as the newest conceptualisation and implementation framework. It was hailed as panacea for achieving equity, justice and dignity for all through realisation of the rights standards enshrined within the various human rights instruments. HRBA is described as a conscious and systematic enhancement of human rights in all aspects of project and program development. Its implementation is to be based on a conceptual framework for the process of human development that is normatively driven on international human rights standards and operationally directed to promoting and protecting human rights. However, the human rights framework, as the foundation for this approach, has come under severe criticism over the past few years. Some of the criticism is against the claimed universality of rights, inherent discriminatory practices, the inability of the framework to take account of practicalities and limitations, and the lack of effective protection and monitoring by United Nations bodies. The approach is also beset due to limited understanding on its application among development practitioners. A recent nationwide capacity strengthening initiative implemented in Pakistan, however, shows the approach may have life in media and journalism in a completely functional sense. The proposed paper presents findings from the initiative to substantiate that application of HRBA to news reporting provides the ability to increase media space for so-called 'softer' beats.
Background/Objectives:
HRBA incorporates international human rights standards. It focuses on the most disadvantaged and marginalised sections of the society. One key criterion is contribution to both the development of the capacity of claim-holders to claim their rights and the duty bearers to meet their duties. HRBA examines all aspects of a particular rights issue, examining local, state and national factors, government policies and the legal environment to ensure that there is a holistic understanding of why a right is not being realised. By applying HRBA, journalists can actively, consciously and deliberately expose injustices, raise awareness, and influence events.
Description of Intervention and/or Methods/Design:
The paper discusses a concerted effort carried out in Pakistan to strengthen the capacity of media professionals and journalists. Nearly 400 from all over the country, are capacitated in application of HRBA to news reporting. The initiative is based on a cascading approach and peer-to-peer mentoring coupled with monitoring and feedback of published media content. A training package on HRBA was developed in 2016 for journalists and media professionals in form of a handbook and training manual. It is first such resource for journalists to help them produce alternative reporting, such as the art of constructing human interest stories and developing case studies from the perspective of development right. The package was implemented through a structured approach of first strengthening capacity of senior journalists and through them, as mentors, engaging district-based journalists and correspondents to further promote skills and knowledge needed for the application of HRBA.
Results/Lessons Learned:
The results from the intervention have shown unprecedented increase in reporting, i.e. print, digital and broadcast, of social issues and application of basic principles of the HRBA. Interviews with journalists and media professional who participated in the capacity strengthening initiative also confirmed that the approach helped them in better positioning their stories to their Editors. The paper comers to a conclusion that application of the HRBA to media content development and news reporting can significantly enhance coverage of development issues and bring out insights which may otherwise be left uncovered.
Discussion/Implications for the Field:
All over the world and at every level of news reporting, there are arrays of issues competing for news media space. Stories that are worthy of news, importantly not for their importance, get more coverage than others. Generally, political issues tend to get far more coverage compared to so-called 'softer' stories as they tick several criteria of a story's newsworthiness. Application of HRBA in developing stories for news and media content development has the ability to make them worthy enough for media space. The approach also has universal application for any setting or issue.
Abstract submitted by:
Atif Ikram Butt - United Nations Environment Programme
The human rights-based approach (HRBA) to development emerged in 90s as the newest conceptualisation and implementation framework. It was hailed as panacea for achieving equity, justice and dignity for all through realisation of the rights standards enshrined within the various human rights instruments. HRBA is described as a conscious and systematic enhancement of human rights in all aspects of project and program development. Its implementation is to be based on a conceptual framework for the process of human development that is normatively driven on international human rights standards and operationally directed to promoting and protecting human rights. However, the human rights framework, as the foundation for this approach, has come under severe criticism over the past few years. Some of the criticism is against the claimed universality of rights, inherent discriminatory practices, the inability of the framework to take account of practicalities and limitations, and the lack of effective protection and monitoring by United Nations bodies. The approach is also beset due to limited understanding on its application among development practitioners. A recent nationwide capacity strengthening initiative implemented in Pakistan, however, shows the approach may have life in media and journalism in a completely functional sense. The proposed paper presents findings from the initiative to substantiate that application of HRBA to news reporting provides the ability to increase media space for so-called 'softer' beats.
Background/Objectives:
HRBA incorporates international human rights standards. It focuses on the most disadvantaged and marginalised sections of the society. One key criterion is contribution to both the development of the capacity of claim-holders to claim their rights and the duty bearers to meet their duties. HRBA examines all aspects of a particular rights issue, examining local, state and national factors, government policies and the legal environment to ensure that there is a holistic understanding of why a right is not being realised. By applying HRBA, journalists can actively, consciously and deliberately expose injustices, raise awareness, and influence events.
Description of Intervention and/or Methods/Design:
The paper discusses a concerted effort carried out in Pakistan to strengthen the capacity of media professionals and journalists. Nearly 400 from all over the country, are capacitated in application of HRBA to news reporting. The initiative is based on a cascading approach and peer-to-peer mentoring coupled with monitoring and feedback of published media content. A training package on HRBA was developed in 2016 for journalists and media professionals in form of a handbook and training manual. It is first such resource for journalists to help them produce alternative reporting, such as the art of constructing human interest stories and developing case studies from the perspective of development right. The package was implemented through a structured approach of first strengthening capacity of senior journalists and through them, as mentors, engaging district-based journalists and correspondents to further promote skills and knowledge needed for the application of HRBA.
Results/Lessons Learned:
The results from the intervention have shown unprecedented increase in reporting, i.e. print, digital and broadcast, of social issues and application of basic principles of the HRBA. Interviews with journalists and media professional who participated in the capacity strengthening initiative also confirmed that the approach helped them in better positioning their stories to their Editors. The paper comers to a conclusion that application of the HRBA to media content development and news reporting can significantly enhance coverage of development issues and bring out insights which may otherwise be left uncovered.
Discussion/Implications for the Field:
All over the world and at every level of news reporting, there are arrays of issues competing for news media space. Stories that are worthy of news, importantly not for their importance, get more coverage than others. Generally, political issues tend to get far more coverage compared to so-called 'softer' stories as they tick several criteria of a story's newsworthiness. Application of HRBA in developing stories for news and media content development has the ability to make them worthy enough for media space. The approach also has universal application for any setting or issue.
Abstract submitted by:
Atif Ikram Butt - United Nations Environment Programme
Source
Approved abstract for the postponed 2020 SBCC Summit in Marrakech, Morocco. Provided by the International Steering Committee for the Summit. Image credit: Roger H. Goun