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Four Solomon Islands journalists joined 14 PNG journalists in Port Moresby for a four-day workshop on skills for investigative reporting, including training in assertiveness and personal communication skills.
The workshop was developed and delivered for the Centre for Democratic Institutions following a request from the Media Council of Papua New Guinea for programs to help PNG journalists expose corruption and scrutinise government in PNG. With help from the Media Association of the Solomon Islands, the APJC was able to include Solomon Islands journalists in the program.
The training team comprised APJC program director John Wallace, Steve Tanner of the School of Media, Communication and Culture at Murdoch University and Robyn Wallace, an educational management consultant specialising in affirmative action and mentoring programs. The workshop was assisted by University of PNG journalism lecturer, Leo Wafiwa, a participant in the program.
Guest speakers were the director of the Institute of National Affairs, Mr Mike Manning, and risk consultant and former chief of staff of the PNG Defence Forces, Colonel David Takendu. Mr Manning spoke on impediments to good government in PNG and related challenges facing PNG journalism. Colonel Takendu spoke on what he described as the increasing relevance of risk awareness in PNG, including in the news media, and the need for journalists to be able to report the subject.
Feedback from participants indicates support for the model of including personal skill development in investigative journalism programs. Wallace said: "There is growing awareness that to improve the quality of reporting, you need to strengthen the personal resolve of reporters to pursue their work with high professional standards."
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| Madang workshop participants examine their personal profiles. |
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| Port Moresby workshop participants work on an investigative journalism simulation. |
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| Feedback from PNG workshop participants |
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"It opened up a lot to me, in particular how to be assertive in everyday situations in different environments."
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| "Knowing that there is a better way to approach people and situations will help me a lot in my work." |
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"I found out things about myself I didn't know. The development of personal skills is important to me because I know asserting myself is a way to become a good journalist."
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Skills for Investigative Reporting