A capacity-building programme for journalists on disaster preparedness, resilience and ethical media reporting was held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.
Conducted as a two-day workshop on 14 and 15 October, it was the fifth in the series of such programmes.
The primary objective of the programme, titled “Disaster Preparedness, Resilience and Ethical Media Reporting”, was to empower journalists to deliver accurate, reliable and ethical information to the public during disasters.
The programme was conducted under the overall coordination of B. G. P. N. Dilshari, Director (Media) of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media.
A group of experienced professionals with subject expertise and government officials participated as resource persons.
On the first day of the two-day workshop, Dr Lahiru Kodituwakku, Attorney-at-Law Sudarshana Gunawardena, Senior Scientist K. P. G. W. Senadheera of the National Building Research Organisation, Senior Scientist Hasali Hemasinghe of the National Building Research Organisation, and J. W. Karunaratne, Deputy Director of the Department of Meteorology, delivered lectures and shared their knowledge and expertise.
On the second day, 15 October, the resource persons were Mandana Ismail Abeywickrama, Attorney-at-Law Sudarshana Gunawardena, Engineer L. S. Sooriyabandara, Director of the Hydrology and Disaster Management Division of the Irrigation Department, Janaka Handunpathiraja, Assistant Director of the Disaster Management Centre, Lieutenant Colonel A. W. K. Samarasinghe of Sri Lanka Army Headquarters, and Lieutenant Commander G. G. C. L. Gamage of Sri Lanka Navy Headquarters.
Extensive discussions were held on how to analyse meteorological, hydrological and geological data accurately when reporting on disasters; how to maintain communication with institutions such as the three Armed Services and the Disaster Management Centre; and how to report information responsibly while upholding media ethics.
Journalists from a wide range of media organisations participated in the programme, representing television, radio, newspapers, websites and digital media. Certificates were also awarded to the participating journalists at the conclusion of the programme.
