CEMESP Trains 20 Journalists in Conflict Sensitive Reporting

By: Laymah Kollie

Monrovia -September 1,2023-WTVNEWS: Twenty Liberian Journalists from four counties during the weekend benefited a two day conflict sensitive elections reporting workshop in Monrovia
The training organized by Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP) with funding support from the Open Society Initiative of West Africa (OSIWA) aims at strengthening journalists with best knowledge in assuming their traditional role as professional people to provide coverage for the 2023 elections in a way that is consistent with the safety standards of conflict sensitivity.

The two days event brought together journalists from print, electronic media, and online television. They were also drawn from Bong, Cape Mount, Gbarpolu and Montserrado Counties. Media practitioners were taught on research -based journalism and storytelling, basic skills for interviewing politicians , fact checking, understanding the electoral cycle amongst others.

At the start of the training, the Executive Director of CEMESP, Mr. Malcolm Joseph said that the initiative is meant to empower sixty (60) Liberian Journalists with best skills in elections coverage.
“This project under OSIWA has empower CEMESP to train 60 journalists on elections conflict sensitive reporting. We have conducted two of the workshops and this is the final one for the last region and this region compromises of Bong, Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu and Montserrado Counties” Mr. Joseph said

According to Mr. Joseph, journalists have a crucial role in maintaining peace and stability in the country while they also have the power to cause misunderstanding in public squad the can easily lead to violence.
“We believe you as a journalist have a cardinal role to play in our electoral process, and like the saying goes the Journalist can make, the journalists can break. So the fact that the journalist can break it is your responsibility to ensure that we maintain the peace even as we are in these electionary period. How you can report during these elections that will enhance and promote peace”

Meanwhile, at the end of the training participants applauded CEMESP and partners for the opportunity and promised to make maximum used of it.

CEMESP is a leading Media development and freedom of expression advocacy organization with its primary objectives to strengthen the work of Journalists and media managers thereby enhancing a free environment for the media in Liberia to thrive.