Abuja - Nigeria — Ministers responsible for information and communication in ECOWAS Member States will meet at the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja to adopt a new communication policy and strategy for the Community.

The two-day meeting which will open on Friday, 14th January 2011, will also validate the "Supplementary Act on a Uniform Legal Framework on Freedom of Expression and Right to Information in West Africa" as well as the "Norms and Standards for the Media in the Promotion of Peace and Security in West Africa".

The expected adoption of the Communication Policy and Strategy will conclude a two-year old programme by the ECOWAS Commission to update its 10-year old information policy to enable it contribute to the realization of the ECOWAS 2020 Vision for a citizen-focused organization. The process is in furtherance of the mandate of the Communication Directorate of the ECOWAS Commission which, amongst other duties, is to facilitate citizen sensitization and mobilization within the framework of the integration objectives of ECOWAS.

While the "Supplementary Act on a Uniform Legal Framework on Freedom of Expression and Right to Information in West Africa' is expected to help harmonize and improve the free flow of ideas conducive to regional development, the "Norms and Standards for the Media in the Promotion of Peace and Security in West Africa" will contribute to raising the awareness of the media in the region of a common responsibility to promote peace and democracy.

The Norms and Standards will also enhance the capacity of the media in their role to defend and promote the values, institutions and processes of peace and democracy in the region. In addition, it will serve as a framework and common reference point for standards of professional practice in the region, promote high journalistic standards by assisting in minimizing poor performance and undue infractions, so as to enhance public trust and confidence in the media.