SOLOMONS: Climate change workshop for young journalists
Updated
The importance of accurately reporting issues like climate change has been emphasised at a Commonwealth Press Union workshop in Solomon Islands. The workshop has brought together young journalists from across the Pacific. The 20 print and radio reporters from Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga are learning how to deal with issues directly affecting their countries including global warming.
Presenter: Evan Wasuka
Speakers: Solomon Islands acting Environment minister Sir Allan Kemakeza; British journalist Neville de Silva, correspondent in Sri Lanka for The Sunday Times
WASUKA: The Honiara workshop has been spearheaded by Neville de Silva, Columnist & Sri Lankan Correspondent for the Sunday Times. It aims to help journalists understand and report on development issues.
De Silva says the next generation of journalists in the Pacific need to be well informed themselves to keep the public informed.
DE SILVA: It is important that in a complex and complicated world as we live in today, and in a globalised world where problems and issues are intertwined, that the media is kept up to date on what is happening. It is no longer possible for us to say that what happens in another part of the world does not concern us, that we can shut our eyes to what is happening elsewhere. Therefore, it important that the current and next generation of journalists are aware of these problems because it is they who have created their relationship with the public. It is they who need to inform the public of developments here and elsewhere. This could only be done if the journalists themselves are informed and realise the implications and relevance of what is happening today. you would agree that an informed public is important to the functioning of democracy and for good governance. An informed public provides an educated opinion, and that is important.
WASUKA: Solomon Islands acting Environment minister Sir Allan Kemakeza told regional delegates that the media has an important role to educate the public on issues affecting their communities such as climate change.
KEMAKEZA: With the local media, it is of great importance that you be responsible and ensure that information of national importance such as climate change, must reach all sectors of our society, and the community and the region, and the outer islands of our region, because we are made up of island nations. And the information must be understood by receivers, and be used to initiate actions that are not detrimental to our environment. This partnership must therefore be strengthened and enhanced, now.
