Facilitators and participants outside Little Rock Suites.

THE participants in television production workshops, which were conducted in Georgetown and Berbice recently, have been tasked with the responsibility of  raising the professional quality of broadcast media coverage, by promoting principles and practices of objective and ethical journalism.

The programme, sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development, Ohio University, University of Guyana Centre for Communication Studies, Higher Education for Development and America Council on Education, commenced earlier in August, with the Georgetown sessions, before continuing in the ‘Ancient County’, where it culminated with a graduation on Tuesday evening, at Little Rock Suites in New Amsterdam.

The learning sessions, which were facilitated by Professor Mary Rogus, a presidential teacher awardee of Ohio University, comprised the first phase of a three-year project, aimed at improving mass communication locally.

Some of the topics covered were ‘What is news’, ‘Its role in Guyana’, ‘Ethics and Professionalism’, ‘On air performance’, ‘Choosing sound bites’, Videography and ‘Editing’.

In his remarks at the function, Berbice born Professor Vibert Cambridge, who is the Ohio Project Director, said the training is a result of a document titled ’Project Phoenix’, which was prepared by a small group, including Dr Paloma Mohammed and Alexis Stephens, inspired by the mystical bird, which rises out of the ashes.

At the time the project was conceptualised, the Centre for Communication Studies (CCS) at UG was facing closure. However, the vision attracted the support of other partners and USAID funding, he said.

Dr. Cambridge challenged those who received certificates to use their enhanced skills to reduce the 60 per cent television piracy to nil, in order to influence the expansion of Guyanese productions.

Sharing the podium with fellow selected graduates who expressed appreciation to the sponsors for the timely intervention, Alfred Ramsaran pledged to network with other trainees and enforce the principles taught, which would raise the standards and satisfy the thirst of viewers.

Meanwhile, policeman Calvin Brutus said his view of the media has changed having mingled with the broadcasters during the Berbice sessions.

Collaboration
He envisages a collaboration between the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the media, in order to sensitise the general public to what is happening.

Brutus said, however, that, while the media has a responsibility to expose the ills of the GPF Force, they must highlight its achievements.

He said his investigative skills will be improved, having been exposed to techniques on interviewing, which included the asking of double-barrel questions.

Professor Rogus, sharing her final thoughts on the undertaking, confessed that, when she was approached by Cambridge to conduct the lecture series here, her initial thought was that Guyana is part of the African continent.

But, having been here, she will remember the colours of the people, the sounds of the night creatures, the aromatic smell and taste of fruits and the thunder of the Kaieteur Falls.

She encouraged those who participated to have a renewed mission for change and use their new tools and passion for action and support networking.

“Chip at every piece which comes into your way. If the chisel gets too heavy for one, let another help pick it up,” Rogus advised.

Also speaking at the forum, which was attended, as well, by Ms. Carol Horning , USAID Mission Director and Dr. Michael Scott, Dean of the UG Faculty of Social Sciences,  Dr Mohamed said the trainees were selected from more than 100 applicants.

She declared that knowledge must not be horded but shared.

“Grow and seek more information and training which exposes the hows and whys in things,” Mohamed exhorted the trained group.

She indicated to the beneficiaries that they will be monitored for changes in local television programming.

The two-hour ceremony was chaired by Ms. Alexis Stephens, a lecture of CCS and was punctuated by a poem and a skit performed by Jonathan Adams,Varnay Massiah and Lyndon Jones.