A one-day media workshop was hosted by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) yesterday in an effort to enhance journalists’ reports on issues in the business/ finance field, particularly in the private sector, and the need for specialization was one of the key points stressed.
Stakeholders gathered at the Regency Suites Hotel, Hadfield Street in the city , were told that developing skills and knowledge specially in the area of business/ finance would enhance the quality and quantity of information made available to the Guyanese public.
However, it was also noted that while the business/ finance sector and the general public stand to benefit from reports done by specialists, the production of such reports is a task that requires the support of the private sector. Such support, expressly, the provision of information to the media corps, is not always forthcoming.
The workshop, sponsored by the Demerara Tobacco Company, was held under the theme ‘Capacity building-supporting professionals in the media environment’, and facilitated by Mr. Milton Walker, a , journalist from Jamaica with 18 years experience.
At the opening ceremony, Junior Vice President of the GCCI, Terrence Holder, said there is little information to be read or listened to in terms of financial issues.
He observed that currently media practitioners have a tendency to generalize issues, rather than look closer and do more analytical reporting.
He pointed out that at least one journalist should be assigned this responsibility to help the general public better understand issues in the sector.
Holder suggested that the University of Guyana should introduce adjustments to the communication programme they offer in order to have more rounded professionals.
He said in addition to improving the capacity of local journalists, the workshop will go a long way to enhance the relationship between the private sector and the media corps.
That said, President of the Guyana Press Association (GPA), Mr. Gordon Moseley, also present, agreed that the workshop would improve media practitioners’ understanding of their role in the sector, but stressed that stakeholders in the sector also have a responsibility
He called it a two-way street and noted that cooperation between the media and the private sector, as well as improved access to information, would go a long way.
Change
Speaking on behalf of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) was its Vice Chairman, Mr. Yog Mahadeo who pointed out that the media landscape is rapidly changing.
He acknowledged that competition for the market is keen among the media houses, but said practitioners must be cognizant of the role they play in exposing matters and recognizing development.
In this context, he appealed for a change, for a more analytical approach to be taken.
Mahadeo pointed out that this would be key when considering what such information would mean for Guyana, the wider section of stakeholders, five years down the line, and more importantly to the “pockets” of future generations.
In the same context of change, he added that media practitioners should not only allow the government or the private sector make news for them, rather, through analysis, they should compose stories that matter to the people.
He observed that one area to advance change is language, since journalists are tasked with making language stand out and engender an appreciation for the same.
The facilitator, in adding his bit, said change and self progress can only come from the individuals who, regardless of the many challenges, press on with their duty to act as “watchdogs of democracy.”
He urged the use of technology to access the many opportunities and develop news items.
“The profession has changed,” he posited.
Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir, who made remarks, said his views are that a vigilant media is important to a democracy and in a competitive free market, information is important and should be the bigger issue.
He said both political and press freedom is important in looking at reforms and achieving the goals of democracy.
The Minister lauded the GCCI and pointed out that in addition to the private sector, press freedom must be supported by civil society and the state.
As for the needs of the media corps, Nadir made it clear that credibility and reliability are the foremost responsibilities of media practitioners.
These, he said, impact significantly on the image of the message advanced.
The Labour Minister said a code of ethics should be in place to guide actions in the context of sensationalism.
Nadir noted that everyone in the industry has a role to play in enhancing the profession, not only the journalists.