Monrovia – The Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP), Monday trained 25 media professionals on researching and understanding current media law, regulatory environment, FOI and Cyber Security.
The one-day training workshop was held in the conference hall of icampus on Carey Street in central Monrovia.
Giving an overview of the training, the Executive Director of CEMESP, Malcom Joseph stated that the training is part of a series of activities of a three-month project geared towards developing a training manual for Journalists. He said, the training would be extended to civil society actors.
“Today, we are engaging the media in a one-day engagement which will also look at the regulatory environment and similar workshop will be done exclusively for civil society actors,” said Mr. Joseph.
He explained that in strengthening media laws and policies, civil society actors also play an active role in the advancement of democracy.
“As we strive to improve upon the regulatory environment of the Liberian media, we think that civil society needs to be a part of this endeavor, he explained.
Making a presentation on the topic: Researching and Understanding current media laws regulatory environment, FOI among others, Cllr. Jallah Barbue of the Institute for Constitutional Research and Strategic Development called on the participants of the training to do more research in getting the relevant information whether or not there is funding available.
“Whenever we have an interest in a story, we must take that story and asses it ourselves thoroughly by asking the relevant questions. Ask yourself questions like why is this story worth following? and do not close the scope of the research when it comes to papers; when you are taking notes make sure your notes are relevant,” cautioned Cllr. Barbue.
Cllr Barbue encouraged the participating Journalists to push hard as it relates to accessing public information despite the many challenges of having little or no access to information.
“Civil rights don’t come on silver platters. If the freedom of information commission is not going to do anything or is weak in helping you to access public information, you will have to keep attempting and keep going there as a Journalist,” Cllr. Barbue asserted.
Presenting on the topic: Cyber Security alongside his Co-facilitator Lauren E. A. Kolleh, Lawrence Yealue of Accountability Lab called on journalists at the event to serve as the voice in Liberia that can talk about the protection of cyberspace.
“The space is risky so we need to protect it and ourselves because right now we are experiencing a digital war,” Yealue warned.
He also called on media practitioners to commit themselves after the training, serving as ambassadors for the protection of the country’s cyber space.
“Don’t leave from this room without making some level of commitment to drive this cause,” stressed Yealue.