Prominent media stakeholders from television stations, print and radio in Lebanon responded to World Vision's invitation to join the fight against human trafficking during a media workshop held last Friday where they shared their frustration of lack of information and political will.

The workshop, conducted in partnership with the Maharat Foundation, offered journalists a clear definition of adult and child trafficking in Lebanon, encouraged discussion about some of the weaknesses in current reporting on trafficking and suggested some best practices for reporting on this subject.

Through presentations and group work, the 17 journalists identified a number of challenges they confront in writing stories that grab headlines while maintaining ethical and well-researched journalism that protects victims and potential victims of trafficking. One issue is the lack of information.

'The role of media is indeed important, but the change shouldn't start with us only, but with the community too, that is why it is important that the community provides us with the necessary information [so far kept hidden],' said Bisan Youssef, from Al Diyyar newspaper. 'In turn once we have the information, we can influence our peers and the community, and together we make the change.'

In 'making the change' Youssef refers to preventing and combating the trafficking of migrant domestic workers, 'artistes'/ sex workers and children trafficked for labour, commercial sexual exploitation and forced early marriage.

In addition, both journalists and victims of trafficking lack a legal framework that protects them from abuse and threats. In 2005 Lebanon ratified the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, but no law has been put in force. For journalists, the situation isn't better.

'Legal protection of journalists is a boiling question,' said Nancy Saab, a reporter from OTV television station. 'Journalists are usually passionate in their work, and are never remiss in fulfilling their responsibility. It is the lack of a political decision that keeps [us] from doing what ought to be done.'

World Vision has identified two main problems with media coverage of trafficking in Lebanon. Very few articles are written about trafficking and those published are often full of conceptual inaccuracies and fail to situate trafficking within the larger socio-economic picture.

'Sensitive and accurate reporting on trafficking helps raise awareness and shape the attitudes of the general public on this issue, puts pressure on the Government to amend laws and policies to better protect victims and can really make a difference in the lives of those vulnerable to trafficking.' said Carla Lewis, World Vision's Trafficking and Gender Officer. 'This workshop was a first step to work with our partners in the media to understand their challenges and help them to better cover this issue.'

'As reporters, we should open the door for organisations that deal with these issues,' said Kassem Doghman, a reporter for NBN, another TV station. 'Such organisations should develop an action plan for all journalists on which we can rely, since it is a shared responsibility.'

World Vision is currently engaged in a research project to provide concrete information on the type and scope of trafficking in Lebanon.

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