Contributor
About 200 professional journalists from Montserrado and Margibi Counties in Liberia have completed a comprehensive training program on investigative journalism, reporting crimes against journalists, legal knowledge, and personal safety for journalists.
The program, which began in November 2021, was funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund-UNDF and implemented by VOSIEDA, West Africa, and the University of Liberia.
This article was written by Nuitah T. Womgbah — SI News Blog contributor
The two-year training program culminated on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at the Fendell Campus of the University of Liberia. During the closing ceremony, the Chairman of the Department of Communication and Media Studies, Euriahs M. Togar, encouraged the beneficiaries to put the knowledge acquired to use. He emphasized that it would be a waste of resources and time if the 200 journalists who participated in the training did not apply the skills and knowledge learned.
In addition, Chairman Togar urged the journalists to go beyond ordinary reporting and produce extraordinary stories that would have a significant impact on society. He also advised them to uphold personal integrity in the face of challenges affecting journalists in Liberia, such as low wages and salaries.
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The Program Manager of VOSIEDA, West Africa, Sadatu Konneh Fahnbulleh, commended the journalists for their commitment to the training program and expressed hope that the knowledge acquired would help improve the safety and security of journalists in the region. She also assured the beneficiaries that their recommendations would be given due attention to make the program more viable.
Speaking on behalf of their colleagues, Journalists Mae Azango of Front Page Africa Newspapers, Emmanuel Davids of Fortune TV, and Famatta Thomas of the Voice Of Firestone expressed gratitude to VOSIEDA, West Africa, and its partners for providing the training opportunity. They also pledged to utilize the knowledge acquired to produce high-quality investigative reports that would contribute to the development of their respective communities.
In conclusion, the training program provided a unique opportunity for 200 journalists to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their profession. The commitment shown by the journalists to the program is a clear indication of their dedication to their craft and their determination to make a positive impact in their communities.
