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In the wake of the 26 December 2004 tsunami, and after discussions with news organisations in countries affected by the tsunami, the Asia Pacific Journalism Centre decided to mount an international videoconference forum for senior editorial staff.
The goal was to discuss important issues thrown up by the tsunami. These included sharing information on death and injury to staff and families, the destruction of news media infrastructure, and the effect on journalists of reporting trauma. They also included the on-going challenge of how to report the reconstruction process.
With financial support from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the Danish NGO International Media Support, and making use of the Global Development Learning Network of videoconference centres, the APJC coordinated two three-hour international discussions.
Participants targeted were senior editorial staff of news media organisations in countries directly affected by the tsunami. These included reporters with influence on the planning of news coverage, news editors and other editorial executives. Funding was provided for travel to videoconference centres by journalists in Aceh in Indonesia and those from the north, east and south coasts of Sri Lanka.
The first videoconference took place on 23 March 4-7pm Canberra time and involved 40 participants attending videoconference sites in Jakarta, Colombo, Chennai, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Canberra. The theme of the discussion was Review and recovery: situation on the ground and current condition of news media in tsunami-affected nations.
Participants were welcomed by Mr Jack Waterford, Editor-in-Chief The Canberra Times and a member of the APJC board member. The opening address was given by Mr Endy Bayuni, Chief Editor The Jakarta Post.
Key presentations were given by:
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Mr Michael Elmquist, Deputy to the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, and Head in Indonesia of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Relief, Jakarta, Indonesia
Mr Santoso, Director Radio 68H, Jakarta, Indonesia
Mr Uzair, News Editor of Radio Prima, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Mr Bharatha Malawararachchi, Daily News, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Ms Rasheeda Bhagat, Associate Editor The Hindu Business Line, Chennai, India
Ms Shahanaaz Habib, senior reporter, The Star, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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The second videoconference took place on 20 March 1-4pm Canberra time and involved 33 participants attending videoconference sites in Jakarta, Colombo, Chennai, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Canberra and Melbourne. The theme of the discussion was Reconstruction and accountability: challenges ahead for newsrooms in covering the tsunami reconstruction effort.
Key presentations were given by:
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Mr Kamal Kishore, UNDP Regional Disaster Reduction Adviser, New Delhi, India
Mr Terje Skavdal, Head of UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Asia Pacific region, Bangkok, Thailand
Ms Rungtip Hongjakpet, Editor, the Phuket Gazette, Phuket, Thailand
Mrs Jennifer Arul, Chief of News Bureau, New Delhi Television, Chennai, India
Dr Kerry Green, (Ass. Prof.) and Head, School of Communication, University of Canberra, Australia
Mr James Ensor, Oxfam Community Aid Abroad's Director of Public Policy, Melbourne, Australia
Mr Rod Curtis, The Age, development aid specialist, Melbourne, Australia
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Feedback from participants indicated that they strongly valued the talks and would be able to make practical use of the ideas raised in their daily work. Participants indicated that they would appreciate the opportunity to have further international professional discussions on other topics relevant to news media work. The APJC expects to play a role in this development.
In mounting the program, the APJC received important assistance from the following individuals and organisations:
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Mr Endy Bayuni, Chief Editor The Jakarta Post
Mr Michael Elmquist, Deputy to the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, and Head in Indonesia of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Relief
Mr James Ensor, Oxfam Community Aid Abroad’s Director of Public Policy, Melbourne, Australia
Ms Liz Ingram, Coordinator, Global Development Learning Network, ANU (Canberra)
Mr Lester Janz, Daily News, Colombo
Mr Chua yew Kay, Deputy Managing Editor, Star Publications, Kuala Lumpur
Mr Dharmasiri Lankapeli, General Secretary, Federation of Media Employees' Trade Unions, Colombo
Mr Bharatha Malawararachchi, Daily News, Colombo
Mr Dominic Morice, Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), Canberra
Mr Marcus Rubin, Deputy Director, International Media Support, Copenhagen
Ms Ati Nurbaiti, Managing Editor, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Mr Santoso, Director Radio 68H, Jakarta
Mr Terje Skavdal, Head of UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Asia Pacific region, Bangkok
Mr M. Thillinathan, News Editor, Berita Harian, Kuala Lumpur
Ms Cait McMahon, Director, Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma - Australiasia
Dr Eric Loo, Editor of Asia Pacific Media Educator, School of Journalism and Creative Writing, University of Wollongong
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Post-tsunami videconference forum for senior editorial staff
