Journalists from the region follow Ecofish training to better report on different aspects in fisheries |03 June 2022
Delegates in a souvenir photograph
A group of journalists from various countries in the region including Seychelles have followed an intensive three-day training programme to boost their understanding and writing skills on different aspects of the fisheries sector.
Organised by Ecofish, a programme of the Indian Ocean Commission and funded by the European Union Commission, the training was aimed at providing for activities related to improving communication and information sharing in the fisheries sector. The training also aimed to set up a regional network of journalists specialised in writing on sustainable fisheries.
Journalists from Mauritius, Comoros, Seychelles from the Indian Ocean countries as well as those from Eastern and Southern African countries gathered in Nairobi for the training held from May 24 to 26.
Marla Simeon, a journalist from Seychelles NATION, took part in the training.
The three-day training was led by Malawian journalist, communications and media researcher Dr Levi Manda and Nawel Guellal, an Algerian consultant from the Human Development Network.
The programme of the training focused mainly on how to better report on sustainable fishing, deliver statistically driven report and strengthen cooperation between journalists in the region through the various media advocacy groups such as Comesa, SADC etc.
It aimed to also enhance equitable economic growth by promoting sustainable fisheries in the region.
Dr Manda stressed on the importance of solution and constructive based journalism as research shows that audiences are more driven towards positive information.
However key points that came to light was that negative and often widespread interest is what sells and what gets the audience talking.
Reporting on such subjects in Africa is one key area that needs to be addressed rather than the stereotypical reports that uses Africa for comparison. The participants discussed the importance of constructive journalism from the African journalists themselves to be able to change the mindset on the stereotypical African related stories.
Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region currently has a 2.7% population growth rate with 100 million people living below the poverty line. The region of 600 million amasses 5 million tonnes of fish total production, 90% is small scale fisheries, 30% to 70% is post harvest physical and economic losses, with 15 million people contributing to direct and indirect employment in the fisheries sector.
The group of journalists stressed on the need to have the information they need for their stories in a reasonable timeframe whereas the trainers and media advocacy group opted for journalists to investigate more and give evidence based statistics in their reports.
At the end of the training programme the journalists formed a network which will ensure cross regional exchange of data, statistics and other information sharing on issues related to fisheries.
Marla Simeon
