YTJN is promoting Domestic Resource Mobilization in Sub-Saharan Africa

 YTJN is promoting Domestic Resource Mobilization in Sub-Saharan Africa

The Youth Tax Justice Network organized on April 7 a media work-shop to train media personalities on how to report on results to ensure that project objectives are fully reflected as they report.

Today, 50 persons from 6 countries these are Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Botswana and Lesotho were invited by the Youth Tax Justice Network (YTJN) to attend virtually and physically a media workshop which took place at Kabira Country Club, Kampala.

The aim of the workshop was to train media personalities on how to report on results to ensure that project objectives are fully reflected as they report. These may include news articles, TV and Radio Talk-shows and online promotions among others.

Specifically, the organizers wanted to have increased understanding of the Domestic Revenue Mobilization (DRM) project and its objectives by the media, to create visibility for the DRM project and to share previous research by YTJN on DRM for example the Baseline study and toolkit.

Throughout the training, YTJN was expecting an increased advocacy in harmonization of tax incentives and curbing harmful tax practices to widen the revenue tax base and an Increased collaboration between YTJN and the media.  

Panelists were Canary Mugume, the NBS TV News Anchor, Bella Twine, a journalist with debunk Media Initiative, Ismail Musa Ladu, a senior business reporter Nation Media Group and Allan Muhereza M, the YTJN team leader who provided the first presentation. Allan said young people are really key domestic revenue mobilizers and suggested that journalists be more involved in DMR by reporting and analyzing. Participants suggested that politicians attend such meeting because it’s up to them to implement the policies.

Activities were inspired and supported by Diakonia and Sweden Sverig.

On behalf of YTJN, Burundi chapter, Barinzigo Julien and Kirsten Nicolas Nzungu, both coordinators and journalists attended the training.  

‘’ Business journalists who make a name for themselves are those that cover or do stories that no one else is doing or writing. And they are more likely to see their careers move upward because those stories get the attention of the business community’’- Chris Roush, a distinguished Scholar in business journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill. Do you agree? Asked Ismail Musa Ladu, the panelist and answered  Yes and No to conclude.

Talking how to cover news on tax, Canary Mugume, the NBS TV News Anchor called upon journalists who cover news on tax saying that they should research the subject and search for reports about the topic before the press conference. They should come armed with questions, always look out for competition and pay attention to questions being asked by your fellows. They should note of the speaker is relaxed when they are asked a difficult question and forget copy and pest, ordered Mugume.