16 journalists from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka attended the five day workshop on “Training of Journalists on Legal awareness in an Era of Media Convergence” from 23 to 27 September 2012 in Male, Maldives, hosted by Maldives Broadcasting Commission.
16 journalists from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka attended the five day workshop on “Training of Journalists on Legal awareness in an Era of Media Convergence” from 23 to 27 September 2012 in Male, Maldives, hosted by Maldives Broadcasting Commission.
Ms Noora Ali, Secretary General of the Maldives Broadcasting Commission extended a warm welcome to the participants at the opening of the workshop.
AIBD together with the funding support of IPDC – UNESCO organized this project in order to provide for young journalists with an understanding of their rights and responsibilities, and the practical skills to anticipate and respond to legal challenges in the course of their work.
Overall, this was an active and engaged group where often the questions and comments went beyond what were strictly legal issues to journalism practice and ethics. The case studies from the participating countries ranged from restrictions on reporting on protests and civil conflicts, to access to courtrooms, official information and threats of defamation to contempt of court actions generated lively discussions.
The consultant was Dr David H Mould, Professor Emeritus of Media Arts and Studies at Ohio University (U.S.A.)
Mr Mohamed Shahyb, Vice President, Maldives Broadcasting Commission in his concluding remarks said that together with his fellow commissioners, Maldives Broadcasting Commission was pleased to host and “meet all who have traveled to Maldives from different corners in our diverse region, moved by a common purpose to share views and experience on a common platform, views on how media journalism are evolving in our region. We the journalists have to work together professionally, and focus on practicing responsible journalism and avoid provocation and learn to adapt to the situation at hand.”
Mr Badru Naseer, the first President of the Maldives Broadcasting Commission who has been instrumental in getting the regulatory process together in Maldives was the guest of honour who presented the certificates at the closing ceremony.
