Journalists at the launch of the Association for Press in Leogane. Photo: Anne Poulsen/IMS

Two months after an earthquake devastated Haiti, International Media Support takes stock of the latest steps to rebuild Haiti’s media

As is the case for all other sectors in Haiti, the media sector suffered massive losses following the earthquake on 12 January. In all 31 journalists were killed throughout the country and at least 13 were wounded. A large majority of the media houses in the four cities were destroyed or heavily damaged with massive equipment losses.  

Strengthening journalist fraternity

In an attempt to create a support system for journalists and strengthen journalist fraternity, the Association de Presse de Leogane (APL) – the Association for Press in Leogane town - was officially launched at the end of February.  The launch took place in the public square across from the Teleco building in the center of Leogane and was attended by some 30 journalists as well as representatives from journalists’ associations from Port-au-Prince, Petit-Goâve and Jacmel and representatives from International Media Support.

At the launch, APL already had 110 members.  According to founder and coordinator for the journalists’ commission of APL, James Felix, the creation of APL is the result of the strong solidarity which exists among the journalist fraternity.  

- We will continue to work together in a spirit of solidarity to further strengthen and unify the journalist fraternity in this moment of crisis for our city. For our country, he said.

Still in emergency phase

The media have an important role to play in rebuilding Haiti by making sure that vital humanitarian information reaches the people of Haiti. In the longer term, a media back on its feet can help build the foundations of democracy.

In Leogane, only four radio stations are currently functioning  while eight others have been destroyed. No radio station has yet been able to return to its normal programming. 

- This shows that we are still in the emergency phase. However, we will continue to work together – but we urgently need assistance to continue, says James Felix.

IMS praised this important initiative and assured the journalists gathered at the launch that it would  continue to support the journalists and media in Leogane and in other affected areas.

Urgent need for shelter

One area of support that IMS is now looking into with the journalists’ associations in Leogane, Petit-Goâve and Jacmel, is the urgent need for shelters for these associations. In Leogane and Petit-Goâve, the associations have no indoor facilities at all – meetings take place in the open. In Jacmel, the Association des Journalistes de SudEst (AJSE) is housed in a little corner of the Radio Tele Express.  IMS is therefore now exploring the possibility of providing permanent shelters for the journalists’ associations.

Notes for the editors:

Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Out of a population of some 10 million, more than half live on less than one USD a day while 75 percent live on less than two USD a day. The country ranks as number 149 on the UNDP Human Development Index.

The country is prone to natural disasters with four major hurricanes and storms in 2008 killing hundreds of people and destroying homes and livelihoods for millions of people. On 12 January 2010, a devastating earthquake of 7.0 magnitude (USGS) on the Richter scale hit Haiti at 16.53hrs local time (GMT 21.53hrs) with aftershocks measuring 5.9 and 5.5 in the first hours after the quake.