By Diedre S. Tarwo & P Vangerline Kpotoe

MOROVIA, July 30(LINA)- Internews-Liberia under its USAID Media Activity has initiated a two day climate change and environmental reporting workshop aimed at enhancing the capacities of journalists to report on climate change, its impact on ecosystem, and environmental issues affecting Liberia.

Speaking at the start of the two-day environmental reporting training which runs from July 30-31, the Senior Media Advisor at Internews Liberia, Jefferson Massah disclosed that the initiative, which has been carried out by the institution over three years as their own way of supporting professional journalism in the country.

Massah emphasized that after their assessment of the Liberian media over the years, they thought to do more specialized reporting efforts that focus on environmental reporting.

Massah encouraged Journalists to develop interest in different areas, pointing out the importance of media practitioners acquiring specialized training in different areas of study.

 He pointed out the environment and climate change issues as key thematic areas of global concern that will enhance the skills of journalists.

 “As part of our work, we see it necessary to recruit journalists that will report environmental issues and as an outcome of this workshop, we want to see the story because it is not a normal workshop where you will leave without reporting to the public, but a story workshop,” he said.

 He added that the two-day training consists of two parts, starting day one with an intensed in-house training that runs from 9 am to 4:55 pm, and day two, a field trip to environmentally impacted sites.

According to Massah, Team A visited the Wein Town Dump site at the FDA Community, Bernard’s Farm and also around wetlands in Congo Town, to investigate the impact of the cutting of mangrove trees.

He added that Team B visited the coastal defense projects in West Point and New Kru Town and other flood-prone communities.