–to agree ways of bridging communication gap

MEMBERS of the judiciary, police force and the media on Saturday explored effective ways of reporting for the public good by attempting to build communication bridges between the media and the justice system.
The two-day workshop, which concluded on Sunday at the Guyana Police Force Officers’ Training Centre, was hosted by the Justice Education Society in collaboration with the Guyana Press Association.

The media seminar for journalists reporting on Criminal Investigations and Court Cases also saw in attendance Chief Justice Roxanne George and Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.
Journalists also benefited from expert presentations by Canadian journalist, Kim Bolan, and veteran local journalist Bert Wilkinson.
Bolan, who has over three decades of experience under her belt, said it is imperative that young journalists learn how to cover crime and the courts in accordance with journalistic ethics and principles.

“We are trying to advance the knowledge, particularly for the entry-level journalists who haven’t any training before, and we are also trying to show them how to do investigative journalism so they maybe can work on bigger projects that will have an impact on their community,” Bolan said.
She explained that the meeting with members of the judiciary, police and the media and international facilitators is really unprecedented, since they are sitting at tables with each other to express various issues that bother them in executing their respective duties.
“Hopefully, we are building some bridges, and there can be some ongoing communication, and things can be resolved more easily and everyone can do their job more effectively,” she said.

The event was held under the theme, “Media and the Criminal Justice System: Effective Reporting for the public good.”