Training on Reporting Disaster and Reconstruction
08-11 February 2016 ( 25 – 28 Magh 2072) Gorkha DAP/NMDC
Summary: The 92nd journalism training of National Media Development Center (NMDC) was organized in Gorkha from 08 to 11 Feb 2016. DAP of the Australian Embassy had supported the four days long training on Reporting Disaster & Reconstruction. FNJ Gorkha had coordinated it.
In the training, there were 17 energetic and young working journalists including 7 female participants from different media outlets.
Most of the participants were from FM radio stations working in different 5 districts. In the training reporters had learned about the disaster, types of disaster in Nepal, phases of disaster, tips for disaster and reconstruction reporting. Participants had also visited earthquake destroyed village Paslang and had observed it. Participants were from from Gorkha-9, Lamjung-2, Kaski-2, Baglung-2 and Myagdi-2 districts. Among the participants, 3 were from print, 13 from FM radio, and 1 from online media selected by FNJ district branches under the criterion provided by NMDC.
As per training plan of NMDC, two special inaugural and concluding sessions were organized. Senior journalist and media trainer Prof. R.K. Regmee inaugurating the training requested both the reporters and government authorities to be prepared for the disaster. Such trainings are the opportunities to young reporters, he said.
Chief District Officer of Gorkha district Bala Dev Gautam wished for the success of the training and thanked the organizer and supporter bringing the relevant training in Gorkha the epicenter of the April Nepal Earthquake. “The training will help to increase knowledge, capacity and bringing changes in attitude, he said.”
Special guest of the session and Deputy Head of Mission of the Australian Embassy Kathmandu Mr. Stephen Rowe expressing his happiness for being in Gorkha district said, “The journalist should always provide information based on facts. While reporting, journalists should not look for individual interest.” Expressing happiness for the participation from government institutions, Stephen further said, “The training will help to build networking between the journalists working in five different districts of Nepal. They will be able to share reconstruction work of one district to another. Journalists should always be aware of authenticity and news quality.” Concluding his address, he asked participatns to get maximum benefit from senior trainers.
Addressing the session, founder President of Gorkha FNJ chapter Kishor Jung Thapa said that the journalists of Gorkha feeling responsibility had reached in the spot during disaster and had brought information to the people and supported to rescue team.
In the session, LDO of Gorkha district Prem Raj Giri, DSP Basanta Rajaure and FNJ vice President Shiva Upreti had also highlighted on the value and importance of the training.
In the four days sessions, reporters had gained theoretical knowledge about the emergency journalism: reporting importance, its highlights; implications, disaster reporting: its objectives, audience, style, linkage with journalistic norms of presenting stories for mass media, online, social media, verification of sources, facts, dealing with authorities during disaster and handling social media information. Other topics included were: cases of disaster reporting, policies of the government, what the journalists should do and what not during disaster reporting? What are the challenges to the journalists while reporting on disaster?
Focuses was given on enhancing reporters’ listening, writing, presenting skills.
Participants were involved in presenting, writing and listening exercises. Trainers had given cases of the disaster and participants had worked out on it. The participants had written the news on the basic of given information. Later, trainer had provided feedback on their work. Participants had also visited nearest village of earthquake destroyed Paslang village. Reconstruction work is not yet started there. People in very poor condition are under the shed of tarpaulin and corrugated iron sheet looking towards the supporting hands of the government.
They also learned their role, role of news-desk, disaster preparedness at district level, tools for disaster reporting: breaking news, follow-up news, news digest; public opinion; running story etc. Participants were encouraged to prepare disaster map of the district and write stories continuously to inform the people as well as concerned authorities. The effort of media brings awareness to the general people and the authorities about possible disaster and helps save them.
After the training, all participants had promised to make news stories in coming Baishak 2073 a year after disaster. They have noted down 52 disaster and reconstruction related issues which will be broadcasted through FM radio stations, local newspapers and online. NMDC will make necessary follow-up and monitoring on the performance of their work.
Senior trainers Prof. R.K. Regmee and Shreeram Singh Basnet, had facilitated the training. Local resource persons from DDC Kularaj Chalise and FNJ President Bhim Lal Shrestha had also presented in the session.
President of Gorkha branch Bhim Lal Shrestha had chaired both inaugural and closing sessions. Senior journalists, former Presidents of FNJ, reporters of national media were also present in both sessions. Similarly, Krishna Bahadur Karki , Program and Research Officer of the Australian Embassy was present at the inaugural session.
Mr. Bishnu P Sharma (Executive Director, NMDC), trainer Shreeram Singh Basnet and FNJ President and Vice-president had distributed participation certificates at the closing session.
In total, 2235 (970 female) participants have participated in the training of NMDC including NMDC’s this 92nd training organized in Gorkha
Major Achievements of the training: The major achievements of the training are as follows:
- 52 disaster and reconstruction related issues will be published and broadcasted during the month of Baishak 2073 (May 2016). (Issue is included in detail report.)
- 17 young journalists including 7 women understood the importance of disaster reporting and role of journalists in disaster
- Value of correct, fact based news in simple languages internalized,
- Listening, presenting and writing skill developed,
- Encouraged to enhance reporting skill and prepare quality news,
- Motivated to write continuously about disaster without waiting landslide or another earthquake, and
- Internalized the need of permanent disaster desk even in district media house.
- The End●
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