The three days International Monetary Fund (IMF) supported business and economics training for media personnel around the region has concluded in Suva, yesterday.
About 10 regional financial journalists attended the training, which covered issues related to how to cover a government budget, understanding central banks policies, writing better headlines, learning about economic jargons, interpreting reports and understanding the code of journalism ethics.
The aim of the training was to enable the general public to understand the way the economy works, what makes it tick, its indicators and what implications it has on them.
Two trainers from the Thomson Reuters Foundation conducted the intensive training since Monday.
At the start of the training, course facilitators have highlighted the need for journalists to promote better understanding of economics and transparency in their countries.
Throughout the sessions the reporters were able to participate in group discussions, presentations and exercises.
The trainers at the conclusion of the training acknowledged the contribution by the participating journalists describing it as very lively and interactive.
Participants through their evaluation and feedback at the end of the training expressed how the training had boosted their knowledge about how to write simple reports rather than using hard terms in their reports.
Not only that but it allows them interpret financial reports so that ordinary readers can better understand the report.
IMF and the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) are proposing a similar training in the near future.
By MOFFAT MAMU
In Suva, FIJI
