ICTJ in the News

October 5, 2007

Journalists Complete Training on Reporting TRC Activities

The NEWS/All Africa Global Media

More than 24 Liberian journalists who underwent training and subsequently participated in a six-month team reporting project on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) process will be certificated on Friday, a release said here Thursday.

The project brought together reporters from various media institutions into working groups to adequately prepare them to report on the TRC activities and other transitional justice related issues and to collectively produce articles and research oriented materials about the TRC.

Participating journalists also acquired skills aimed at providing accurate, responsible and balanced coverage of the TRC; as much as practical experience as possible to help them develop coping strategies, recognizing their own emotional "baggage" during their reportage of the TRC.

The Liberia Media Centre (LMC) ,which carried out the project, for its part lauded the International Media Support (IMS) for its relentless support in ensuring the success of the program and urged other international partners to aid the fight for the revitalization of the media sector of Liberia.

"Journalists have a pivotal role to play in the development and democratization of our war-wrecked country, and as such, they must be fully trained to delve into digging the truth from falsehood for the betterment of the Liberian society," LMC noted, adding "communication and development are intertwined; one cannot properly succeed without support from the other, hence to ensure that media institutions effectively are at the vanguard of post war development of Liberia, they must be supported."

Last year, over 30 Liberian journalists, benefited from an intensive three-day training program held in collaboration with the TRC, Liberia Media Centre, International Centre for Transitional Justice, International Media Support and the Press Union of Liberia.

The training, which was conducted by Lars Moller of Denmark David Tam-Baryoh of Sierra Leone, was aimed at giving participants a clear idea about the aims, structure and processes of the Liberian TRC.

The certification of the journalists is an addendum of the previous training.