Dakar – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Country Office in Senegal launches on 14 March 2022 the first edition of the Migration Reporting Competition. This competition, implemented under the Joint Initiative funded by the European Union, aims to promote quality media content, following the rules and ethical practices of journalism, on migration issues, including migrant protection, returnee reintegration and awareness raising about irregular migration.

The competition is open to Senegalese journalists and foreign journalists residing in Senegal and affiliated to a local or international media organization. It will also be organized by IOM in Chad, Gambia, Mauritania, Niger, Mali and Nigeria between March and July 2022. Senegal and The Gambia will be the first countries to launch the competition. In Senegal, a total of nine prizes will be awarded, including three (3) prizes for each media category - Television, Radio and Print/Online. Prizes will range from US$400 to US$1,200, in addition to a certificate of recognition to be delivered at the official award ceremony which is scheduled for 20 May 2022.

The aim of the competition is to promote stories that are balanced, factual, positive, constructive, out-of-the ordinary and free from stereotypes about migrants and migration. It also aims to promote stories that contribute to preserving migrants’ dignity around the world. “It is essential that journalists and newsrooms invest consistently and qualitatively in migration issues to provide factual evidence to deconstruct the many biased discourses. Migration is complex and dynamic. The role of the journalist is fundamental, not only to promote safe and regular migration, but above all to help understand its many facets,” said Alpha Seydi Ba, IOM Spokesperson and Regional Media and Communications Officer for West and Central Africa.

“The media coverage of migration and migrant stories must be respectful of migrant dignity and reflect a good mastery of migration terminology. The interest of this contest is to promote clear and non-detrimental information that differs from the sensational and emotional coverage of the usual migration stories,” says Valeria FALASCHI, Chief of Mission of IOM in Senegal.

For information on the competition, please visit the Website.

For more information, please contact:

Salla Mbaye, Reintegration Officer, Tel: +221 33 859 53 54, Email: smbaye@iom.int

Fecam Marie SEYE, Communication & Media Officer, Tel.: +221 78 461 85 64, Email: fseye@oim.int