WILMER JOEL
A five-day workshop organized by the Pacific Media Institute on democracy, elections and media started last Friday with an opening ceremony attended by diplomats and more than 40 journalists and public information officers from across the Pacific at the College of the Marshall Islands.
Editor of the Marshall Islands and PMI co-founder Giff Johnson called the workshop a never-before-seen gathering of media personnel in the Pacific on Majuro.
Australian Chargé d’Affaires Derek Taylor and Taiwan Ambassador Steve Hsia asserted their countries’ commitment to expand media freedom in the RMI. “Free media is essential for a democratic society,” said Taylor. Ambassador Hsia added, “The media is a force for good, upholding and promoting sustainable democracy. Journalism is a catalyst for positive change.”
US Chargé d’Affaires Henry Hand told participants that his appreciation for the media started with his father, who was a journalist for the New York Daily News. He said he saw firsthand the perks and downsides of his father’s career. “He opened a window into so many people’s lives,” he said. “It is not an easy job, but it is important for credible voices.”
Hand said the workshop is timely for an upcoming election where citizens will rely on information provided by journalists to shape their voting decisions.
The President of the College Marshall Islands, Dr. Irene Taafaki, said she is delighted in the empowerment of writing news. “Your workshop will provide insight to elevate your experience in journalism.”
After the opening ceremony, the workshop segued to the first session on the importance of writing short through Haiku and Bloomberg’s four-paragraph story style.