Asia Pacific journalists study economic issues and reporting September-October 2007, Australia

Improving business, finance and economic news coverage in countries in Australia's immediate region was the goal of a six-week leadership program run by the APJC in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. Nine journalists identified as leaders or future leaders in their profession attended the program. Three came from Indonesia (Papua Province, Flores and Kalimantan), three from PNG, and one from each of Timor-Leste, Vanuatu and Samoa. The program, funded by AusAid as part of AusAID's Australian Leadership Awards (ALA), was jointly hosted by the APJC and the Pacific Area Newspaper Publishers Association. The broad aim was to give the journalists a better understanding of the business, finance and economic fields and to share reporting skills and insights that they can apply in their countries. The program consisted of a one-week leadership workshop, a week of professional visits to financial, business, media and other institutions in Melbourne, a two-week master class on Reporting Economic Affairs, followed by a news media attachment and further professional visits in Canberra and Sydney. Highlights included briefings at the Reserve Bank, the Australian Securities Exchange, the National Press Club and Federal Parliament, sitting in on an ANZ forecasting meeting and visiting Bluescope Steel's operations. Senior Australian journalists acted as mentors to the visiting journalists, accompanied them on professional visits and facilitated discussions. Project work focused on analysing economic issues affecting the countries of program participants and on common regional issues. Feedback from participants praised the way the program provided an opportunity for journalists from quite different countries to come together to discuss issues of common concern. Journalism fellows: Mr Frans Anggal, editor, Flores Pos, Ende, Indonesia Mr Herman Lengam, director Radio Berita Matoa, Manokwari, Papua, Indonesia Ms Safitri Rayuni, correspondent for Bisnis Indonesia in Pontianak, Indonesia Mr Mouzinho De Araujo, chief of staff, Timor Post, Dili, Timor-Leste Ms Bibian Barreng, reporter, The National, Port Moresby, PNG Ms Sandra Lawoi, business reporter, National Broadcasting Corporation, PNG Mr Eric Tapakau, business editor, Post Courier, Port Moresby, PNG Mr Ricky Binihi, freelance finance journalist and lecturer, Santos, Vanuatu Ms Cherelle Jackson, news editor, Newsline, Malifa, Samoa Instructors, journalist mentors and support staff were: Ms Suzy Woodhouse, former journalist and leadership instructor Dr Nigel McCarthy, senior journalist and lecturer Mr John Tidey, former senior editorial executive, The Age Mr Jack Waterford, editor-at-large, Canberra Times Ms Helen Musa, senior journalist and Indonesian interpreter Mr Greg Burchall, freelance journalist and journalism lecturer, VUT Ms Robyn Wallace, education consultant specialising in affirmative action programs Ms Marion McLeod, director, Core Management Solutions Mr Torrey Orton, psychologist Mr John Wallace, program director, APJC Ms Alex Kennedy, project officer, APJC Mr Andy Cox, Indonesian interpreter Ms Putri Ayu Sari, Indonesian interpreter The following Australian individuals and organisations and individuals contributed sessions to the program: Prof. Greg Barton, Indonesia expert, Monash University Ms Tina Baum, curator Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, National Gallery of Australia Ms Kristi Beaglehole, external affairs manager, Bluescope Steel Mr Ian Campbell, financial accountant of finance and retail, National Museum Ms Cindy Christian, senior associate, Minter Ellison Lawyers Mr Kenneth Davidson, columnist, The Age Ms Linda Davies, director, business development, PANPA Mr James Ensor, policy director, Oxfam Mr Andrew Fraser, bureau chief, Canberra Times Mr Matthew Gibbs, manager, corporate relations, Australian Securities Exchange Mr Dennis Grant, director of public affairs, National Museum Mr Gary Humphries, senator, Parliament House Mr Andrew Jaspan, editor- in-chief, The Age Mr Simon Johanson, editor, Age online Mr Peter Kell, CEO, Australian Consumer Association Mr James Kirby, editor, Eureka Report Mr Bela Kusumah, program manager, SBS Mr Steve Levitt, government relations advisor, World Vision Mr Sandip Mukerjea, media lawyer, Minter Ellison Lawyers Ms Cherelle Murphy, economist, ANZ Bank Mr David Orsmond, deputy head of economic analysis, Reserve Bank Ms Louise Perry, Victorian Government Media Unit Mr Ken Randall, president, National Press Club Mr Maurice Reilly, CEO, National Press Club Mr Michael Richards, CEO, PANPA Hon. Robert Smith, president of the Upper House, Victorian Parliament House Mr Mike Smith, public relations consultant and former editor of The Age Mr Bob Stensholt, chair of the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee, Victorian Parliament House Mr Michael Stutchbury, deputy to the editor-in-chief (business), The Australian Mr Brett Taylor, Marketing Coordinator, PANPA Mr Brendon Telfer, executive producer, Radio Australia Mr Brian Walsh, corporate affairs manager, AFL House Ms Margaret Wyrill, SkillsBank Co-ordinator, Leadership Victoria Mr Christopher Zinn, spokesperson, Australian Consumer Association The following international organisations helped the APJC with the program: Pantau Foundation [Indonesian journalism training foundation] Timor-Leste Journalists Association (TLJA) Media Council of Papua New Guinea (MCPNG) Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) Media Association of Vanuatu (MAV) Journalism Association of Western Samoa (JAWS) Cherelle Jackson "This program is an excellent tool for developing journalism throughout the Asia Pacific region. The overarching aim is extremely relevant and ensures journalism's contribution to economic development in the region." - Cherelle Jackson, editor, Newsline, Malifa, Samoa Mouzinho Lopes De Araujo "This program gave me time to reflect, to learn, and to think about how to make a difference in the future. Without coming to Australia to attend this program I would always be in the same position as a journalist - never knowing how I could contribute more to my public. I was a weak, thirsty and hungry journalist, who really needed the help from those who are strong." - Mouzinho Lopes De Araujo, Timor Post editor Safitri Ryuni "The experiences and expertise of the other eight participants, all with similar concerns about their media industry, was a very worthwhile learning experience for me." - Safitri Ryuni, correspondent for Bisnis Indonesia in Pontianak, Indonesia Frans Anggal "Professional visits to business centres in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney gave us a general picture about the life of the economy and business in Australia and how it relates to the region. Understanding the concepts of economics and business will not be complete unless you understand them in a wider context." - Frans Anggal, Editor, Flores Pos, Indonesia Reports by 2007 ALA fellows Is sustainable development possible? By Frans Anggal Details Impressions of an ALA fellow By Cherelle Jackson Details The role of the media in economic development By Ricky Binihi Details