Journalists, government communications officers and media representatives gathered this week for an intensive training workshop designed to sharpen their coverage of one of the region’s most significant diplomatic events — the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting.
The PIF Reporter Workshop, held at the Palau Civic Centre from 29 June to 03 July, is organised by Pasifika TV, the regional television network of Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited (PCBL), at the invitation of the Palau Media Council.
Trainers Tia Soakai, Regional Content Manager, and Stefan Armbruster, Regional News Development Lead, are leading participants through a curriculum covering everything from the mechanics of the Forum itself to field reporting techniques and broadcast production skills.
“As this year’s host nation, Palau has a unique opportunity to share its leadership, culture and hospitality with audiences across the Pacific,” Armbruster said.
The programme spans a full day Monday, two half-days Tuesday and Wednesday, an optional support session Thursday, and a specialised broadcast session Friday for journalists and presenters planning video coverage of the Forum.
Sessions cover topics including Pacific Islands Forum governance and history, Palau’s role in Micronesian and regional leadership, key regional issues on the Forum agenda, how to read and report on the Leaders’ Communiqué, story sovereignty and Pacific journalism values.
The workshop structure was designed to accommodate the realities of small Pacific newsrooms, with optional afternoon sessions allowing participants to tailor their training to individual needs.
Pasifika TV, supported by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), works with more than 30 broadcast partners across the Pacific region and will serve as host distributor of PIFLM55 coverage.
The 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting, themed “Building Economies: Life. Action. Unity” (BELAU), is set to bring together heads of government from Forum member nations to address Pacific priorities.
