UNGA: Overcoming a distorted narrative on migration

When you stand up for the dignity of human beings, you are immediately perceived as politicised, said Francesco Rocca, president of the International Red Cross at the 73rd UN General Assembly session on migration, before using a poignant metaphor to describe the shift in how NGOs are perceived - by pointing out that no one questions the role of a firefighter when rescuing people from a burning building.

Moderated by Thomson Foundations OPEN Media Hub project leader, Dominique Thierry, the high-level debate took place in New York on 28th September, 2018, bringing together speakers including the UN special representative for international migration, Louise Arbour, director general of the International Centre for Migration Policy, Michael Spindelegger, and the Tunisian and Maltese foreign ministers, Khemaies Jhinaoui and Carmelo Abela.

Up for discussion were issues such as the narratives constraining world leaders in the migration policies that they can propose, the role of media in the migration debate and how to ensure that all migrants, regardless of legal status, have access to the protection and assistance they need.

Francesco Rocca, president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies briefs press at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly. Credit: UN/Loey Felipe

Early September brought reports of more women, men and children drowning in the Mediterranean after their boat capsized between Libya and Malta. Many of the survivors suffered burns from fuel spillage. Others, including pregnant women and children, were taken to a migrant detention centre in Libya, which has been described as harmful and arbitrary by Medicins Sans Frontier .

Giving migrants back their dignity was key to Francescos speech, and echoed in Dominiques follow-up about the incredibly positive stories coming out from Italy, particularly of the Bangladeshi migrants settled in Palermo and bravely taking on racketeers, and the very important work of public authority officials and the police force to give migrants what they are deprived of in life, their basic human rights.

The second story was by a journalist trained and mentored as part of Thomson Foundations OPEN Media Hub project . It earned her a first-prize award at the second OPEN Media Hub-supported Migration Media Award in Tunisia that took place a few days before the UNGA.

"OPEN Media Hub has led to award-winning stories bringing about an awakening among policymakers."

Dominique Thierry, Thomson Foundation project lead, OPEN Media Hub With a migration-reporting curriculum and dedicated online course, with face-to-face and hands-on workshops and production mentoring, the OPEN Media Hub has led to award-winning, tremendous stories bringing about an awakening among policymakers, says Dominique. This was highlighted at the UNGA high-level panel discussion.

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Watch Thomson Foundations Dominique Thierry moderate a high-level #UNGA debate on migration at the UN headquarters in New York on September 28th, 2018

The Migration Media Award rewards journalists for in-depth and balanced coverage of migration in the Euro-Mediterranean region. In order to win the competition, eligible entries need to consist of an already published story and a proposal for winning an EU-funded contract to produce new content covering migration.

Journalists are under-equipped to foster a new migration narrative away from the victims' stories which lead to a sense of powerlessness, continues Dominique. Thomson Foundation and its partners in the Migration Media Award, aim to foster constructive and solutions-based journalism.

Forty-one journalists from 18 countries were rewarded for journalistic excellence in the way they reported on migration. All winning entries are available here.

Related content

Migration Media Award 2018

Acknowledging the best, and often bravest, in migration coverage from across the spectrum.

Course: The Ethical Journalists Toolkit

A Journalism Now online course designed to increase your ability to cover sensitive subjects and tackle ethical challenges.

Course: Reporting on Migration

An OPEN Media Hub course giving journalists a good understanding of the complex issues of migration, refugees, and human trafficking and their impact on politics

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