Tuvalu Broadcasting staff have spent the past week preparing to cover visits by high-level leaders ahead of next month’s Pacific pre-COP31 meetings.
The meetings will take place in Fiji from October 5 to 8, with high-level leader visits planned for Tuvalu on 5th and 6th October. The pre-COP events of the UNFCCC mark a historic first for the Pacific in more than three decades of the annual global conference.
Tuvalu Media preparatory sessions grew out of a proposal by Tuvalu Broadcasting Managing Director Yvette D’Unienville Isaac supported by the Climate reporting programme of ABC International Development.
Isaac and Tuvalu Broadcasting’s team of more than 20 staff spent the last week working alongside a small media support team on technical equipment, editorial planning, and efficient coverage of pre-COP31.
“Our people must receive the best possible reporting from their public broadcaster. We must do everything we can to support our team and keep Tuvaluans and the diaspora informed about this historic moment,” Isaac said.
She said the intention to provide strong coverage of pre-COP31 would also strengthen the TVBC team’s long-term skills in digital journalism and multimedia storytelling.
“Tuvalu Broadcasting faces a shortage of experienced staff. We also have new and younger staff learning on the job, so this training opportunity will deliver benefits not only in October, but for months and years to come.”
She welcomed the on-site support so far from Pacific media trainer Lisa Williams and Jodie Hamilton from the ABC’s regional service in South Australia. The mentoring has switched to online advice while the teams put mobile journalism kits and editorial planning into practice, and will wrap with an on-site phase until 09 October.
In an informal session with the Board leadership of TVBC on Friday, staff were reminded by the vice chair Talafou Esekia to make the most of the training provided.
He and Board Chair Alafou Silo also commended the initiative, both noting they were pleased to note the progress and support to the Tuvalu Reporting Intensive work. Online support will continue until the final onsite phase timed for later this month.
“We are making the most of the prep-COP 31 being in the Pacific, and coming to Tuvalu, but reporting on the environmental and everyday impacts of climate change has long been part of our newsroom’s work, but the challenge is all the other issues that now demand equal attention,” Isaac said.
“We need resources to respond to new demands of the digital environment and social media. Our service to our Tuvaluan people is our first priority, and careful planning and preparation are essential. That is what this partnership is about,” she said.
