U.S. Embassy Hosts Workshops for Journalists in Odienné and Daloa

Daloa journalists working in small groups (Dpt of State)

As part of a series of programs organized for journalists in Côte d’Ivoire, the Embassy hosted workshops on news reporting, investigative journalism and media ethics in Odienné and Daloa on August 21 and 23. The workshops are designed to increase the capacity of regional correspondents and journalists from community radio stations.

The fifteen participants in the first workshop, held in the northwestern city of Odienné on August 21, were welcomed by the Prefect for the region of Kabadougou, Mr. Jerome Kayaha Soro,  and the First Deputy Mayor of Odienné, Mr. Amidou Kourouma. In his opening remarks, Embassy Information Officer Grant Phillipp emphasized the U.S. Embassy’s support for freedom of the press in Côte d’Ivoire and the need for journalists to exercise that freedom responsibly. The workshop was led by Embassy Information Specialist Folli Teko and ONUCI Information Officer Yacouba Kébé.

The second workshop was held in west-central city of Daloa on August 23. The twenty participants were welcomed by the Secretary General of the Prefecture of Daloa, Mr. Célestin Womblegnon, and the Mayor of Daloa, Mr. Kramoko Diabaté. In addition to reiterating the importance of a responsible, free press, IO Grant Phillipp called on journalists to use the power of their words to support the reconciliation process in Côte d’Ivoire. The Daloa workshop was led by Mr. Teko and Daloa ONUCI-FM correspondent François Gombahi.

Participants in both workshops received copies of the French version of the Handbook of Independent Journalism, published by the Department of State’s Bureau of International Information Programs.