Media Tips for the 32nd AU Summit

Media Tips for the 32nd AU Summit

February 2019

Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia
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Information and Communication
African Union Commission

06 February 2019

Theme and dates of the Summit

2019 Theme: “The year of refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons: Towards durable solutions to forced displacement in Africa”
Dates and venues

1. 15-16 January 2019: Thirty seventh (37th) Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC)

2. 7-8 February 2019: Thirty fourth (34th) Ordinary Session of the Executive Council

3. 10th to 11th February 2019: Thirty second (32nd) Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

Media Accreditation
¬ Accreditation gives media access to open sessions of meetings. Generally the opening and closing sessions of all statutory meetings, as well as press conferences are open to media.
¬ All media representatives who requested accreditation online or sent their forms through email or post along with all the required credentials have been accredited and should obtain the security badge easily.
¬ The relevant authority of the Government of Ethiopia and the African Union Commission Directorate of Information and Communication (DIC) are working together to assist media representatives. Mr Molalet Tsedeke is in charge of media accreditation
¬ They are using the same list of accredited journalists to allocate the badges.
¬ The link of the relevant authority of the Government of Ethiopia for media representatives is: https://accreditation.africa-union.org/web/app.php/public/registration?id=4

Badges
Security Badge/ Conference Badge :

¬ Two types of badge are required for all media representatives:
- One National security badge given by the Ethiopian Authorities- those who have successfully accredited should register on the government portal for badge collection:
- The distribution will take place at the new AU integrated service center, NOT GHION
- If you do not register on the government portal for badge collection however, you would still be required to go to Ghion hotel
- One Conference badge delivered by the AUC/DIC services in briefing room 5

¬ The security badge will allow journalists to access the African Union Compound

¬ The Conference Badge will allow journalists to access the conference oooms, the Media Center and to attend the open sessions of the meetings.

¬ Ms. Muluken Sisay, of the AUC DIC is responsible for delivering the conference badges. She can be reached directly and or by Mail: MulukenS@africa-union.org
Tel: +251 911 395256 – check with briefing room 4

Access to the Summit Venue

¬ All media personnel will enter the summit venue through the main gate.
¬ All reporters will be in Gallery -1, ….Camerapersons will enter the plenary hall on a first come first served basis, to get into Mandela hall. The remainder will go to the first floor gallery due to the limited space in the plenary.
¬ The group photo will take place as per the programme and will be restricted only to the photographers and camera persons. During this time, the reporters will be seated in the gallery.
¬ There will be a check point at the main entrance.
¬ Each time the journalist leaves the compound, she/he has to get screened again to get in.
¬ Media personnel are advised to arrive early to get priority entrance into the compound and into the Mandela Hall. Those who come late may have difficulty at the entrance.
¬ The security will put barricades in some areas and we request all the media people to respect the restrictions requested by the Security.

Entry into plenary halls

Reporters

¬ For entrance and exit to the media, the Eastern Gate of the New Complex (Gate-1) is a designated access gate for media who possess appropriate badges to enter into the premises.
¬ Strict adherence to security procedures is required
¬ Media are requested not to move around the lobby area as there will be movements of leaders and other participants during all the sessions. Media should be stationed in the media center or other areas dedicated for media
¬ There might a tent outside reserved for use by the media.
¬ The security will put barricades in some areas and we request all the media people to respect the restrictions requested by the Security.

Videographers
¬ A limited number of camerapersons will be accommodated on the floor of the Plenary Hall. Entry will be on a first come first served basis. Those given entry passes should line up in front of the main plenary door to wait for an announcement to enter.
¬ It is important to arrive early, as space is limited.
¬ The overflow will go to the balcony/gallery.
¬ Security personnel and DIC officers will show the camera persons where to position themselves.
¬ Camerapersons inside the plenary hall should be advised not to keep going in and out as it will be difficult to get back in.
¬ Strict adherence to security procedures is required
¬ Ms. Afrah Mohamed, Information Officer is charged to coordinate and facilitate the entrance of the journalists. For any request please get in touch with her. She can be reached on E-mail: ThabitMa@africa-union.org ; Tel: + 251 911 200 922

Photographers
¬ Photographers will not be allowed to enter the plenary hall
¬ Photographs for media and other use will be posted on the AU Flickr account soon after the opening ceremonies

The group photos
¬ The group photo will be as per the programme
¬ A DIC officer will direct the photo
¬ The Group photo will be restricted only to the photographers when the camera people and the reporters will be seated.
¬ After the group photo the photographers will go to the balcony as already stated.

Official media of heads of state and government during closed sessions
¬ Arrangements have been made for those journalists who accompany their Heads of State to be led inside the hall each time their president is taking the floor
¬ Video camera people and photographers attached to the Heads of States will be allowed to enter the plenary hall to record their principal’s intervention, only if they request through DIC, i.e. Ms Afrah. After that, they have to leave the hall.
¬ No other media will be allowed into the room during closed sessions

Interviews arrangement with AUC Leadership
¬ Journalists wishing to interview the leadership of the AU Commission during the summit should submit their requests to Ms Afrah Mohammed and Mr. Molalet Tsedeke, Information Officer And Media Center Coordinator respectively:

Interview room
¬ An interview room is available. Requests for its use should be forwarded to Mr Gamal Ahmed Karrar on GamalK@africa-union.org

Media Briefings
¬ Briefings by leaders of the various African Union Organs and Programmes will take place in the media briefing room 1
¬ Journalists will be given advance notice of the briefing date and time, venue, and speakers, by Media Announcements and by e-mails. Notices will be also be put on the AU website www.au.int
¬ Other partner organisations of the AU occasionally request facilities for media briefings during the summit. On such occasion, journalists will be notified of such briefings.
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke is the AUC focal person related to press briefings: He can be reached on: E-mail: Molalett@africa-union.org

Live Streaming
¬ The AU Commission will be streaming live, all the opening sessions of the statutory meetings i.e. PRC (already done), Executive Council and Assembly meetings as well the press conferences by AU leadership. These feeds will be available on http://www.au.int/livestream

¬ Enquiries regarding live streaming should be directed to: Mr Asmerom Girma E-mail: AsmeromG@africa-union.org; Tel: +251 911 385 555

Media Center
¬ The media center comprises working space with computers.
¬ There will also be screens in the media center, as well as audio output points: 26 male audio outputs are available in each language (English; French, Arabic and Portuguese).
¬ Media related documents including speeches, press releases, invitations; programmes and announcements will be available for journalists in the media center. The focal persons for the Media Center is Mr Molalet Tsedeke.

Media people are advised not to bring into the summit venue the following items:
• Thermos flasks
• Glass bottles or cans
• Hot food
• Chilly bins, picnic baskets or large bags
• Illicit Drugs
• Sound amplifiers including loudhailers
• Recording devices for commercial purposes
• Prams, strollers, pushchairs (There are limited storage facilities for these items at the entrance. However the Venue takes no responsibility for loss or theft).
• Dogs or other pets
• Flares, fireworks, laser pointers
• Knives or other dangerous weapons
• Skateboards, roller blades, scooters or bicycles
• Signs or banners that are obscene, offensive, political or abusive
• Any other item that AUC Security and Safety staff determine may cause injury or public nuisance or inconvenience to any other person.

DIC contacts:
1. Mrs. Wynne Musabayana, Head of Communication Division, Information and Communication Directorate, Email: MusabayanaW@africa-union.org
2. Mr Asmerom Girma, Website Administrator, E-mail: AsmeromG@africa-union.org; Tel: +251 911 385 555
3. Ms. Afrah Thabit Mohamed, Information Officer, E-mail : Thabitma@africa-union.org, Tel: + 251 911 200 922
4. Mr. Molalet Tsedeke, Media Center Coordinator, E-mail: MolaletT@africa-union.org
5. Ms. Muluken Sisay, Secretary, E-mail: MulukenS@africa-union.org, Tel: + +251 911 395256
6. Mr. Gamal Ahmed Karrar, Communication Officer, E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org

For further information
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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Learn more at:
http://summits.au.int/summit/32