Please visit our new discussion forum
An official of the OECS Secretariat has promised to explore the possibility of establishing formal regional training for media workers in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.
The training idea was presented by Grenadian Adrienne Taylor, Programme Co-ordinator at Community Channel 6, during the closing session of a “Media Workshop on OECS Integration’’ held recently in Anguilla.
Randolph Cato, Director of the OECS Economic Affairs Division, said the media training recommendation would be looked at by the Secretariat to see “what can be done.’’
Taylor, Linda Straker, Lincoln Toro Depradine and Beverly Lewis were four Grenadians among 20 regional media workers who attended the workshop.
The training coincided with the 50th Meeting of the OECS Authority, where agreement was reached on signing a new treaty to deepen the integration process among member-countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.
Grenada’s Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas used the occasion of the summit to meet with Grenadian nationals living in Anguilla, and to interact with many of the regional journalists attending the OECS media workshop.
Workshop facilitator, Dr. Canute James of James, encouraged participants to strive for accuracy, clarity and professional fairness. Journalists should also engage in public education and ensure that “facts and information are sensibly portrayed and properly reported,’’ said Dr. James, Director of the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication (CARIMAC) at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.
“A tremendous responsibility is reposed in the collective force we call the media,’’ he said. “Information must be treated properly and not to fan the flames of prejudice and destruction.’’
Journalists, the CARIMAC Director added, must go “beyond speeches and statements’’ and contextualise and analyse, and master the basics of the profession in order to tell stories that are relevant, accurate and informative.
“If you don’t put the work in,’’ said Dr. James, “you are redundant and of no use.’’
