By Fanta L. Keita
MONROVIA, Jan. 21 (LINA) – The Liberia News Agency (LINA) has held its First In-Service Training aimed at refreshing its employees, particularly reporters, and other newsroom staff on the basic principles of journalistic ethics, news gathering and professional conduct.
Several topics were covered during the training held at the Ministry of Information in Monrovia at the weekend.
Veteran Liberian journalist and Mass Communication instructor, Frank Sainworla, elaborated on the Determinants of News and How to Apply Them in News Gathering, while Cllr. Bobby Livingstone of the United Methodist University, spoke on the subject: « Slander and Libel, Things a Journalist Must Avoid. »
Liberian journalist and lecturer Edwin Clarke presented on the topic: « Techniques of Interview and How to Get The News, » while female journalists Tecee Boley and Siatta Johnson presented on Fake News and its Impact on the Liberian Democracy and Gender Mainstreaming in Media Reportage, respectively.
Kwame Weeks, who is LINA Director General, believes that the training will serve as an eye-opener for reporters of the entity, noting that capacity building is a key to cultivating a professional work environment.
Weeks, who spoke at the close of the program, urged reporters to always strive for excellence in the discharge of their duties, believing that journalism is an essential element which can be used to influence public opinion as well as propel national growth and development.
He thanked the facilitators for honoring the invitation to share knowledge with reporters of the Liberia News Agency, urging them to continue to educate and impart knowledge into the minds of young journalists so that they can be more focused and committed to the gathering and dissemination of information in the country.
LINA FLK/WSG/PTK
