BUCHANAN, Oct. 24 (LINA) – Liberian Journalists from six counties have been trained at a three-day skill enhancement exercise organized by the National Youth Movement For Transparent Elections (NAYMOTE) to set the stage for increased investigative spotlight on concession advocacy on policy matters.
The previously known National Youth Movement for Transparent Elections (NAYMOTE) now NAYMOTE Partners for Democratic Development, has been operating in Liberia since 2001 with focus on electoral awareness, promotion of good governance, as well as developing Liberian youths through its Young Political Leadership Studies and monitoring the performance of the Government, among others.
The training was conducted under the Agriculture Concession Advocacy Consortium (ACAC) project and is intended for a coherent and effective Agriculture Concession Policy-making to ensure a more transparent, accountable, and inclusive environment, Mr. Ishmael Flomo, Consultant of the project, revealed.
Mr. Flomo said the six-month USAID-funded project will also consider strengthening the capacity of Civil Society and Community Based Organizations for full involvement in policy discussions, while increasing citizens’ participation in concession activities that would benefit the local communities and the state.
« Concessionaires account for over 40 percent of the nation’s employment, a reason that must trigger media, CSOs and CBOs’ high involvement, » he told participants at a local hotel in Sinkor, Monrovia.
Media practitioners at the training were drawn from Grand Kru, Sinoe, Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, Margibi and Grand Bassa counties where the Equatorial Palm Oil Company, Sime Darby, Golden Veredium and other concession companies are operating.
As part of strategies to achieve the anticipated objectives, veteran Liberian Journalist Frank Sainworla, who is served as facilitator, drilled participants through Investigative Journalism and Technical Radio Production formats; highlighting research, preparation and prioritization of ethics and facts as pillars.
Mr. Sainworla cautioned the journalists to be fully knowledgeable about Concession Agreements, without biases, engage management of the companies on allegations, and speak with policy makers and community residents to ensure a fully-packaged production or report that would equally benefit the citizens and prevent instability in Concession environments.
Also making remarks, NAYMOTE Executive Director Eddie Jarwolo said Liberia is not a poor nation, but claimed that it has been “poorly managed,” and cautioned journalists to desist from elevating stories of Concessionaires only if politicians raise concerns on the subject.
He cautioned them to instead report in the interest of the public in accordance with the canons of journalism.
Jarwolo emphasized that if the media focuses more on reporting the facts in the respective counties, it would prompt state authorities and company managements to act accordingly, noting that this would benefit the communities through infrastructure and other developments and also ensure stability.
