Regional journalists complete workshop on human trafficking and youth crime

Journalists from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago received specialized training on youth involvement in crime and human trafficking through collaboration between Caribbean Media Institute (MIC) and CariSECURE 2.0 – a regional project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

The CariSecure 2.0 activity aligns with USAID's strategy to reduce youth involvement in crime and violence and strengthen anti-human trafficking efforts in the Caribbean. This initiative uses a multi-pronged, human rights-based approach to bring about meaningful change.

“This training, supported by USAID for the Eastern and Southern Caribbean, highlights our commitment to promoting media freedom, professional standards of journalism and the importance of accurate reporting,” said Mervyn Farroe, regional representative for the USAID for the Eastern and Southern Caribbean, during the opening ceremony. session Monday.

According to Farroe, USAID's goal through this initiative is to equip journalists with the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to manage the complexities of crime reporting while maintaining the highest ethical standards.

“Youth involvement in crime and human trafficking is a complex and deeply concerning issue that requires our continued attention. Behind the headlines and statistics are stories of vulnerability, exploitation and injustice that demand to be told with empathy, accuracy and a nuanced understanding of the situation. the underlying factors at play,” he stressed.

The intense two-day sessions covered various critical areas, including ethical considerations in reporting, societal impacts, reporting techniques, legal and ethical frameworks, story structure and framing, data journalism and research, digital and multimedia reporting, storyboards, investigative journalism and solutions journalism. .

Kiran Maharaj, President of the Caribbean Media Institute, highlighted the importance of such training exercises for media journalists. She said: “This training is crucial to building the capacity of journalists, ensuring they can report on these sensitive issues with the depth and sensitivity they need. »

Saint Lucia was represented by Sharefil Gaillard of Loop News and Cécile Actille of MBC News.

Gaillard commented on the training, saying: “The session was very intense and eye-opening. Although some elements were a refresher, others were new and very beneficial. Human trafficking and youth involvement in crime are serious problems affecting our region. As journalists, we have a responsibility to shine a light on these issues and convey factual information to the public, which can in turn raise awareness and help identify solutions. »

Cécile Actile adds: “This training gave me valuable knowledge and tools that I look forward to implementing in my reporting. It is essential to approach these topics with the care and precision they require.

Other participating regional media outlets include Barbados Today, Trinidad Express, TV6 News, ABS, And Guardian Media Limited.

Sheria Brathwaite Barbados today remarked: “It was an informative and enriching experience. Such training is crucial for the development of young, emerging journalists in the region and provides key networking opportunities.”

Briana Anthony, journalist at ABS television and radiohighlighted the interactive nature of the sessions: “The practical activities and real-life scenarios were particularly useful. They not only reinforced the theoretical aspects, but also allowed us to put into practice what we learned in a controlled environment. The training promoted collaboration and the exchange of ideas, providing different perspectives and experiences.

The training began with a virtual session on June 5 and continued this week with in-person workshops on June 10 and 11 in Trinidad and Tobago. The workshops, led by regional and international journalism experts and researchers, covered critical topics such as legal and ethical issues, constructive journalism, data journalism, investigative and human interest reporting, as well as as digital/multimedia reports.

UNDP Resident Representative in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Limya Eltayeb, highlighted the broader impact of this initiative: “Responsible and ethical journalism is essential to stimulate public discourse and inform policies and programs. This media training therefore not only gives journalists the tools to tell these stories with accuracy and empathy, but also contributes to the overall goal of a safer and fairer Caribbean.

Maharaj emphasized the importance of media assessment and subsequent training: “This report is significant in that it demonstrates the need for stronger perspectives on issues related to human trafficking and security of citizens. We know that relevant and innovative reporting techniques used to find solutions and constructive journalism can spark meaningful change, while investigative and humanitarian journalism sheds light on societal implications.

Therefore, these workshops provide the ideal setting to have meaningful discussions aimed at ensuring more effective reporting, as we continue to strive for better and more accessible data for journalists. »

In addition to the immediate benefits of improved reporting skills, participating journalists will be well equipped for the Responsible Reporting on Human Trafficking Awards, awarded annually by the project in partnership with the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU). Therefore, through these workshops, journalists will gain crucial information that will not only enhance their professional achievements, but also help strengthen citizen engagement and security in the Caribbean.