At a training programme for Liberian and Sierra Leonean journalists scheduled for this week in Liberia it is expected that Dr Lawrence Bropleh Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of Liberia will address the journalists from both countries during the three day training program.
This training will help build the capacity of journalists to use the information available from a range of sources to provide objective, balanced and fair reporting, express views and provide information within an accurate factual and legal framework.
Participants would benefit greatly from Dr Bropleh presentation which the organizer believe would help participants focus on the significance of the forthcoming training and the critical role of the press in Sierra Leone and Liberia’s continuing progress towards a future of accountability and respect for human rights, as a strong foundation of prospective economic growth and social development.
The training geared towards widening journalists’ knowledge, improving their reportage skills and equipping them with requisite techniques on international criminal proceedings in general, and the proceedings of the Charles Taylor Trial in The Hague in particular.
According to the organizer, of the training programme, the thirty-five print, electronic, radio and community media journalists from Liberia, and 15 from Sierra Leone, will have to focus specifically on the trial of Charles Taylor.
In particular, the training will cover international and hybrid tribunals and international criminal law, the role of the Prosecution and Defence in international criminal proceedings and the rights of the accused to a fair trial, the Special Court and the Charles Taylor trial from a legal and journalistic perspective, the impact of the trial on the current political and justice situation in Liberia, and equipping journalists with tools to better manage public expectations surrounding the trial.
About the objective of the training it was disclosed that the training exercise is to provide basic training on international tribunals and international criminal law in general; to foster a better understanding of international proceedings, including the purpose of the Taylor trial, the role of the Prosecution and Defence, and the rights of the accused to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence and to provide detailed training on the Special Court and the conduct of the Charles Taylor trial in The Hague.
The exercise is organized by the United Kingdom Legal Community Charity, Advocates for International Development (A4ID), in collaboration with a West Africa media right group, International Centre for Media Studies and Development (INCEMSADWA), with funding from the Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI), and the Soros Foundation Network Media Program (NMP) based in London.
Advocates for International Development (“A4ID”) is a registered charity that draws together the skills and expertise of the UK legal community to combat poverty and inequality, by bringing lawyers together to engage in pro bono work with those who benefit from or are engaged in development. The Governance Working Group of A4ID offers training and support of lawyers to build the capacity and resources of developing countries and development NGO’s in all areas relating to governance, including accountability and the capacity of the press to report on issues relating to human rights, governance and domestic and international law.
The International Centre for Media Studies and Development in West Africa (“INCEMSADWA”) is a Liberian media right NGO that has been working with the Liberian media to strengthen the capacity of Journalists to broaden their knowledge and skills in judicial reporting in post-conflict society. The West African media right group is currently spearheading a national crusade against gender based violence, sexual exploitation, rape and abused of women and children rights.
Over the years, the group undertakes the disseminations of objective, fair and accurate information across Liberia 15 political sub-division through its media arm and conducted series of training for media practitioners on conflict resolution and peace building. To interpret complex events and issues affecting the smooth operations of the local press and to formulate programs that will enhance the work of the independent media in the entire sub-region.
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