Eight journalists representing different media organisations in Port Moresby say they have found it very difficult to obtain information while covering the frost and drought disaster events in recent months.
The journalists participated in a one day workshop today on emergency and disaster awareness organized by the NBC/MDI program/MCPNG and conducted by the head of the ABC Emergency Broadcasting.
The workshop is aimed at making reporters understand the importance of the role they play as a journalist and working in partnership with government stakeholders and NGO groups.
NBC journalist Rose Amos says it was a struggle to get information from the National Disaster Office and even more frustrating when the information obtained was not updated.
She suggests that a media centre responsible for updated disaster information should be established.
Yakam Kelo of the Sunday Chronicle Newspaper echoed the same experience and suggests that it would be a help if the National Disaster Centre takes reporters with them when going out to assess disaster reports.
“When we are not given the correct information people will not prepare as well as they should for disaster events,” he says.
Trainer Ian Mannix from the ABC encouraged journalists not to be afraid but to approach responsible government agencies and offer assistance in the dissemination of information.
He says when it comes to disaster situations what should matter is the sharing of information and working as a community to save lives.
“You see sometimes you have to forget that you’re a journalist and think like you’re part of a community that you must save,” says Mannix.