Reporting on trade and integration matters for Africa: a training course for journalists

The Trade Law Centre (tralac) aims to build capacity for Africa to trade better. To this end tralac offers training programmes, does analysis of trade and integration developments and supports an active debate on trade and regional integration law and policy. We are convinced that access to information on trade and integration developments is essential to enhance the quality of trade policy and governance. The role of the media, and specifically of journalists is critical to make progress in these areas.

tralac will be hosting its first training workshop for journalists who write on trade and integration matters, 9-10 May, in Cape Town, South Africa. The aim of this training workshop, is not only to provide updates on trade developments, and facilitate discussion among journalists, but also to appraise the important changes that are taking place with respect to access to information, the role of the media, technology and innovation in the media and associated governance issues, and the relationship between journalists and sources of information (including official government sources, think tanks and experts). 

The Workshop will include practical exercises, reviewing case studies (including reports on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). In addition, the programme will include a focus on the use of data, infographics/visualisation and the use of different channels of information dissemination (including social media).

Our aim is also to build a network of trade journalists in Africa – this is the first step in this process.