Similarly, they have also been urged to be circumspect in their reportage.

The call was made at the opening of the 51st session training programme for young African Journalists at Cairo in Egypt on Saturday.

At a short ceremony, the Head of Human Rights Capacity Building Project, Ambassador Ahmed Haggag, underscored the important role journalists play in transforming the society.

He said the African media must be used to unite the continent.

He entreated African journalists not to be biased in their reportage, adding that they must be factual and also promote peace in their respective countries.

Welcoming the participants, the Head of Supreme Council for Media, Mr Makram Mohammed Ahmed said the programme seeks to create awareness about the African continent to the Western world through African journalists and media practitioners.

He, therefore, admonished African journalists to network to create a strong front to tell the African story from the African perspective.

The programme

The programme, organised by the Union of African Journalists, is also intended to enhance the competence of the African Journalists.

Twenty-one journalists have been selected from countries such as Ghana, Togo, Uganda, Burkina Faso, South Africa, South and North Sudan, Mauritania and the host country, Egypt, to participate in the training.

The three-week programme will cover topics such as African commercial free zone; requirement of success; yellow press; damage for the society and the profession; Africa and actual charges; Africa first, and cultural diversification.

Others include investing mineral resources in Africa; Rotation of political power and its impact on human development; Economic exploitation of African resources; Political and security challenges threatening stability in Africa, and empowerment of women in Africa.