On Elections & Safety Reporting
PHOTO: Participants pose for a group photo after the training
Some twenty Journalists from Grand Bassa, Nimba, Lofa and Bong Counties have participated in a two -day training focused on Elections and Safety Reporting.
The activities took place in Gbarnga, Bong County and itwas the first of a two-part series that will also attract journalists from Western Liberia.
The participants in Gbarnga were mainly talk show hosts and producers from the community radio sector.
The training was a partnership between Internews and ECOWAS in collaboration with the Association of Liberia Community Radio (ALICOR).
It was supported by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).
Speaking at the start of the training, Internews Project Director Peter Quaqua said the exercise was a critical part of efforts by Internews and partners to help strengthen the capacity of Liberian journalists ahead of crucial national elections in October.
“We consider the media as an important conduit to facilitate free, fair and credible elections in the country,” Mr. Quaqua emphasized.
Quaqua encouraged the media practitioners to be carriers of messages of peace and development as well strive to be always truthful.
“We can’t afford to be guilty of spreading falsehood and hate messages during these elections,“ Mr. Quaqua cautioned the Journalists.
The Director of communications at the National Elections Commission, who was also facilitating at the workshop, encouraged the media to endeavor to work with the election management body to help ease tensions during the electoral period.
“The media are key stakeholders in these elections. “Henry Flomo reminded the journalists as he added,“ the National Elections Commission counts on the support of the media community in the conduct of the General Elections in October.”
Also speaking the head of news at ECOWAS Radio, Raymond Zarbay encouraged the participants to attach seriousness to training.
Mr. Zarbay expressed optimism that the trainees will utilize the skills acquired to boost the integrity of journalism in Liberia.
The Head of Secretariat at the Association of Liberia Community Radio (ALICOR), Varney Diggs said in brief remarks that his organization was very excited to work with Internews and ECOWAS in helping to enhance the capacity of its members to provide professional and credible coverage of the elections.
Speaking on behalf of the trainees at the end of the workshop, Jospee Horace of Ablejay Online TV, praised Internews, ECOWAS and ALICOR for the workshop ; describing as a career boosting opportunity.
“As we come to the close of these two days of training, we want to appreciate our trainers for the skills being imparted to us. “Horace asserted as she went to say, “these two days have been really rewarding as they provided us with useful skills and tools needed to execute our duties professionally during these electioneering periods and even after the elections.”
The two-day training covered topics such as an overview of the electoral process , the role of journalists in elections and reporting techniques , elections debate and talk show best practices as well as free speech VS hate speech.
The facilitators at the training were Internews Project Director, Peter Quaqua, ECOWAS Radio News Director ,Raymond Zarbay , The Director of Communications at the National Elections Commission, Henry Flomo, Internews Senior Journalism Trainer , Torwon Sulonteh Brown and Romeo Togba, Internews Senior Radio Producer.