VZCZCXRO7590
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHCO #0264/01 1750528
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 240528Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0981
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1469
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COTONOU 000264 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY), AF/W (ACOOK) 
PARIS FOR ARS (DWINTON) 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KIRC KPAO OEXC SCUL BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: IRC BOOK DISCUSSION: "PRATIQUE DU JOURNALISME" 
 
¶1. SUMMARY: On June 18, the U.S. Embassy hosted a well-attended book 
discussion at the American Cultural Center (ACC) Information 
Resource Center (IRC).  The discussion, led by Beninese journalist 
Jean Jonas Tossa, focused on the Africa Regional Service (ARS) 
Nouveaux Horizons book titled, "Pratique du Journalisme" (Getting 
the story: An Advanced Reporting Guide to Beats, Records and 
Sources). In her opening remarks, PAO Rhonda J. Watson explained 
that this book discussion, geared toward the media, was a follow-up 
to the week-long journalist training given by Eduardo Cue at the ACC 
in May 2008.  She also noted that this book discussion, part of the 
IRC monthly programming, falls in line with one of the Embassy's 
priorities, which  is to promote the development of an informed, 
trained, and professional media, capable of serving as the 
foundation for a strong democratic society.  END SUMMARY 
 
 
¶2. DATE OF ACTIVITY: June 19; Third quarter, FY 09. 
 
¶3. PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION/OBJECTIVES: Post held this book discussion 
as a PAS regular program and to promote IRC resources as well as ARS 
Paris Nouveaux Horizons publications. 
 
¶3. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY: As part of the opening ceremony, IRCD 
Bienvenu Akodigna explained the resources available on the 
Department of State website, America.Gov, where participants can 
access a wide range of information resources.  Participants were 
happy to learn that they could access articles covering current 
issues, E-journals, IIP brochures, blogs including the recent one 
regarding President Barack Obama's speech in Cairo and web chats 
that they can participate in from any computer with Internet 
access. 
 
The PAO introduced the speaker, Jean Jonas Tossa, as an alumnus of 
the Summer Institute on Journalism and Media program held at the 
University of Florida from June 29 to August 10, 2008, where he 
learned, first hand, the principles underlying freedom of the press 
and the journalist's responsibility for reporting the news 
accurately and truthfully and the responsibility they hold to keep 
public officials responsible through investigative reports.  Tossa's 
credibility was enhanced, also, by the fact that he had taken part 
in to the White House Pre-Trip Radio Roundtable program prior to 
President George W. Bush's February 2008visit to Benin. 
 
The book "Pratique du Journalisme" published by ARS Paris Nouveaux 
Horizons is a translation by Henry Shulte and Marcel P. Dufresne of 
the book with the original title, "Getting the story: An Advanced 
Reporting Guide to Beats, Records and Sources". 
 
The book has three sections. Part 1 focuses on the new mainstreams 
and tools of the profession. Part 2 explains how to specialize in a 
field, and part 3 features problems faced by journalists and how to 
resolve such problems while still abiding by the ethics of 
journalism. 
 
The audience especially appreciated the discussion leader's ability 
to masterfully intertwine the principles discussed in the book with 
concrete examples of journalistic problems in Benin.  For example, 
he cited an example of an environmental clean-up disaster that has 
gone unreported by the press.  He also noted financial 
irregularities in certain government Ministries that have not been 
the subject of any investigative report.  In analyzing the problems 
facing the media in Benin, the speaker spoke of issues such as the 
lack of formal training and the poor quality of articles released in 
the press, the symbiotic relationship between some media outlets and 
the Government and raised questions about how a responsible press 
should deal with privacy issues concerning public figures. 
 
In his presentation, Tossa encouraged the participants to take 
advantage of the opportunities provided by new information 
technology that allow reporters to use various techniques to make 
their newspapers quickly accessible to the public. Posting a website 
and starting a blog are the most advanced technologies used today by 
journalists and media specialists in Benin. 
 
During the question and answer period following his presentation, 
participants raised questions regarding the responsibilities of 
journalists, the possibility of threats against reporters covering 
cases of corruption and sensitive issues, and how far a reporter can 
go regarding issues related to privacy. 
 
Participants completed an evaluation survey of the program, which 
the PAO used to conduct a drawing to select five lucky participants 
who received a copy of the book.  The names of these participants 
will be added to the PAS data base so they can be invited to future 
journalism events.  The PAO also promised to send them a listing of 
bloggers in Benin and E-journals that would be of interest. 
 
¶4. MPP UMBRELLA THEMES AND AUDIENCE REACHED: Bolstering  Democracy 
and Combating  Corruption - Maintaining Beninese Support for the 
 
COTONOU 00000264  002 OF 002 
 
 
United States.  The event attracted over 70 guests, including 
Editors-in-Chief of media outlets, journalists, reporters of local 
branches of international broadcasting services, and students in 
Media and Communications.  At least fifteen media outlets including 
two TV stations, two radios and eight print media covered this 
event. 
 
¶5. RESULT/IMPACT: Excellent. The book discussion was very well 
appreciated by our guests. Participants appreciated the use of 
examples drawn from the speaker's own experiences and cases taken 
from local press. Many participants expressed their hope that Post 
would organize more events of this nature on a regular bi-monthly 
basis. 
 
¶6. NON-USG SOURCES OF IN-COUNTRY FUNDING/IN KIND SUPPORT: PAS 
appreciates the time and availability of Mr. Jean Jonas Tossa who 
agreed to conduct this book discussion 
 
¶7. QUALITY OF USG SUPPORT: None. 
 
RAWLINGS