Journalism Training, Dili, Timor-Leste March
The U.S. Embassy in Dili, Timor-Leste, sponsored and coordinated two journalism training programs in the Chief of Mission Residence, U.S. Embassy Compound, March 13th and March 14th, 2014, Inna Dubinsky, Development Officer, BBG Development & International Media Training, and Frans Demon, Director of the VOA Indonesia Service Jakarta Bureau, led the trainings.
MARCH 13TH
High-level Conference on Journalism Management
16 senior managers, editors, and directors of the Timor-Leste print, radio, television and online media organizations and NGOs participated in a one-day Conference on Journalism Management (in English with consecutive translation to Tetum provided by the Embassy staff). The event was held in a format of the roundtable discussion (RT) on the newsroom and content management and ethics of journalisms.
Workshop for Journalists on Ethical Reporting & Writing Stories
Thirteen reporters, news anchors, producers and editors from the Timor-Leste print, radio, television and online media organizations and NGOs participated in a one-day Workshop on Ethical and Responsible Journalism (in English with consecutive translation to Tetum provided by the Embassy staff)
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Senior managers, editors, directors, reporters of the Timor-Leste print, radio, television and online media organizations and NGOs got a clear understanding and interpretation of the 10-point Timorese Code of Journalistic Ethics that is similar to the international ethical principles.
They learned ways of arriving at decisions on ethically challenging stories, with consideration of accuracy, fairness, independence, duty to inform public, minimizing harm, avoiding deception and sensationalism, and honoring promises. They also became aware of the need for a firewall between the editorial and marketing operations.
Managers of the TL media organizations came up with ideas on ways and means that will help them improve morale, and create a working environment and incentives for staff retention.
TL National Television reported about the U.S. Embassy/BBG journalism training programs in the prime-time newscast.