Journalism: A Pathway to Peace and Reconciliation

The 5 days of MediaCorps orientation and training program for young peace
journalists was successfully concluded on 27 th August at Hotel Goldi Sands
Negombo.
This program was organized by the Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum
(SDJF), as a part of the Media Empowerment for a Democratic Sri Lanka
(MEND) Program, being implemented by the International Research
Exchanges Board (IREX) with the support from USAID. 

25 Young journalists (7 girls and 18 boys) belonging to different ethnic and
linguistic backgrounds (Sinhala-12, Tamil-11 and Muslim-2) who comprised
the second batch of MediaCorps Fellows, took part in this event.
On day 1, the inauguration of the event began with the welcome remarks by
Prof. Padmasiri Wanigasundera, chairperson, SDJF. Speaking of the
program, Prof. Wanigasundera noted, "The MC fellowship has given a hands-
on experience to critically look at their cultural barriers, empathize with the
diversity of different people and to find a common ground and to use their
journalism skills to foster reconciliation in the country".
That was followed by the address of Mr. Mohamed Azad, Program Director,
SDJF. In his speech, he explained the objectives of the MEND and
MediaCorps fellowship program.

The participants were trained on peace and conflict sensitive journalism,
gender sensitive journalism, ethical and factual reporting, using social media
for story dissemination, storytelling, basic shots types, sequences, camera
angles, one third rule, free mobile apps, MoJo editing with KineMaster, and
mobile storytelling techniques by the experts in the respective field. The
fellows also had an opportunity exchange their experience with veteran
editors and senior journalists.

Ms. Dharisha Bastians, Editor in Chief, Sunday Observer, Mr. Janaranjana,
Editor in Chief, Anidda newspaper, Mr. T.M.G. Chandrasekara, Additional
Director General, SLRC participated as guest lecturers to the training program
and spoke a wide range of topics from ethics in journalism, fact checking and
responsible reporting to using journalism as a tool to foster reconciliation.
On day 4, fellows were divided in to 3 groups and they made a field visit to the
areas of Basiyawatta, Weralakanda and Sri Murthi in Negombo to get
experience and apply the class room learning of producing MoJos on
marginalized communities. As a result, the fellows produced 25 MoJo stories.
On the day 5, the MC process was explained step by step and a field plan
was developed with MC fellows. At the end each fellows signed the MC

fellowship agreement and received a field note book. The program was
concluded with vote of thanks by Ms. Hasarel Gallage, Project Officer, SDJF.