REGIONAL journalists undertaking the business and economics report training in Apia, Samoa, spent yesterday ay looking at how to write simple reports on national budget in their respective countries.
More than 10 business reporters working in the print, radio and television from around the region are attending the training which is being held at the National University of Samoa (NUS).
The workshop is being facilitated by ABC Radio Australia’s Pacific economic and business reporter Jemima Garret who is also an author and journalism trainer.
In 2013 she won the Citijournalism Broadcast Media Award for business reporting in Australia and New Zealand and the United Nations Association of Australia Award for Best Radio documentary.
The 3-day training provides a group of Pacific reporters with an overview of reporting on business and economic issues in the Pacific region.
It’s also aimed at developing their knowledge and skills in an effort to demystify financial jargon.
Yesterday, Ms Garret explained to the participants the importance of the national budget in any country which will affect the lives of the ordinary people.
The participants were told that the budget speech and the main budget document are important sources to access information from in order to report on.
Since Tuesday participants have been involved in lively discussions focusing on the anatomy of the Pacific economics and the role of economic policy and institutions in national and organisational performance.
Participants are from the Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati and Samoa.
The key outcomes of the PACMAS business and economic reporting workshop are to improve understanding of key economic and business issues; improve understanding of the principles of business and economic reporting; improve skills in financial and economic analysis; and develop regional networks.
The Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS) is funded by the Australian Government and managed by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
By MOFFAT MAMU
in Apia, Samoa