Journalists update skills on anti-corruption & election reporting
THREE days out from World Press Freedom Day, and just under two weeks from the issuing of writs for the 2022 National General Elections, twenty (20) journalists comprising provincial-based media correspondents, sat for a full day of training, facilitated by the Media Council of Papua New Guinea, in partnership with UNDP-PNG, and funded by the European Union.
The training targeted anti-corruption and election reporting, including sessions on tools to use when reporting on corruption, and world experiences of the welfare of reporters reporting in volatile or trouble-prone national events, like the national elections.
Other practical and informative sessions were presented by Journalist and Media Trainer, Scott Waide, Transparency International PNG, and United Nations Development Programme representatives.
World experience sessions on anti-corruption reporting; and reporting in volatile political situations, came from anti-corruption compliance experts, and Global Ground Media, a company which provides practical knowledge on how to handle safety challenges in politically volatile or restrictive countries, or during times of national events like national elections.
Transparency International PNG Executive Director, Arriane Kassman, and Deputy Director Partnerships & Policy, Yuambari Haihuie, presented a range of web-based tools that journalists can use to report effectively on anti-corruption, and suggested further sessions with the media to understand how to fully-utilize these tools when reporting.
The workshop organisers and participants were surprised, but thankful when Electoral Commissioner, Simon Sinai, attended the workshop and provided an update of preparations toward the issuing of writs for the 2022 National General Elections.
Mr. Sinai highlighted the important role the media plays in the national polls, while also encouraging the journalists present to maintain their independence and loyalty to reporting the truth about the election process and its players.
The workshop was the first in a series of similar capacity-building events that the Media Council of PNG hopes to stage in partnership with the UNDP, and the European Union.