CEMESP TRAINS LIBERIAN JOURNALISTS TO REPORT TRAFFICKING-IN-PERSONS CASES
By Staff Writer
MONROVIA: Several journalists from across Liberia have been trained to report on trafficking In Persons (TIPS) also known as Human trafficking as reports of trafficking cases are increasing in the country.
Human Trafficking is recruiting, Transporting and harboring by fraud or deception of another person for the purpose of exploitation.
Trafficking-In-Persons is a modern day slavery where people especially women and children are exploited compelling them to perform labor or engage in commercial sex.
Journalists were provided the basic knowledge and techniques on how to engage stakeholders the and victims using existing laws both National International to cases of trafficking.
The training was made possible by Center for Media Studies and Peace Building, (CEMESP), a Media development institution in Liberia with support from Internews with funding from USAID.
Speaking at the start of the Humnan Trafficking training, the Executive Officer of CEMESP Malcolm Joseph said the twenty two (22) journalists trained will bring the number to forty four (44) journalists in total who have been trained to report and follow up on trafficking cases.
“We have already trained the first batch of twenty two journalists in Ganta, Nimba County so after this second cycle we will have forty four journalists who will be trained to report on human trafficking cases” CEMESP boss Macolm Joseph said.
According to CEMESP boss, after the training, journalists will have the skills to investigate and report issues linked to TIPS. He expressed gratitude to USAID for the funding, such that will impact the society.
For her part, Internews Liberia Chief of Party, Lien Bach reaffirmed her institution’s commitment to providing all the support in ensuring that journalists are trained to report trafficking cases.
Also making remarks, Deputy Minister for Public Affairs, Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism Jarlawah Tonpo thanked Internews for the initiative and cautioned journalists to utilise the knowledge provided to report more stories on Human trafficking.
Government has begun bringing several Liberian Women back to the country who were allegedly trafficked to Omar in search of better living.
The law prescribes a minimum penalty of one year imprisonment for labor trafficking of adults, six years’ imprisonment for sex trafficking of adults, five to 11 years’ imprisonment for child labor trafficking, and 11 to 16 years’ imprisonment for child sex trafficking.
Journalists were drawn from twelve counties including Montserrado, Bong, Bomi among others.
