Vernacular Journalists End Workshop in Gbarnga

The Institute for Media Development & Dignity (IMEDD) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme or UNDP-Liberia has ended a three day workshop for Vernacular Journalists from six Community Radio Stations in Bong County, Central Liberia.

The specialized engagement under the theme: “Reporting Liberia in a Development Context” benefited 20 Vernacular Producers in the county. According to a release, IMEDD’s Director and Trainer, Augustus Fallah, who spoke at the close of the workshop recently, challenged participants to serve as “Agents of Change” in their respective communities by properly utilizing the knowledge and skills acquired from the exercise.

Mr. Fallah said, if society is to graduate from the concept of the recent past to that of total peace and sustained the emerging democracy, then the media or journalists should take the lead as the role of the media in every society is very significant.

He said the specialized training is intended to enable participants to interpret complicated information/stories for illiterate rural dwellers and produce development programs in a way that will properly sensitize the society, especially during this electioneering period.

Fallah said the workshop was also to empower participants to be knowledgeable, understand and adequately use the skills to inform and educate rural dwellers to make INFORMED DECISSIONS about issues of elections and other development related events, affecting their communities.

Also speaking, United Nations Development Programme Communications Analyst, Augusta Mcgill Pshorr, urged participants to utilize every aspect of the workshop in order to impact the lives of their respective communities.

Mrs. Pshorr said the role of the media in today’s Liberia must be to sensitize the people through development initiatives and commended the Institute for Media Development & Dignity for engaging vernacular journalists in said venture, as most training programs had been targeted English practicing journalists.

The events, which were held at the Catholic Retreat Center in Gbarnga, were also intended to empower participants with the knowledge and skills to report development issues in a more efficient and professional manner.