by Georgina Maka’a
The staff of the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) Gizo branch, Radio Hapi Lagun, are this week attending a week-long refresher workshop with their stakeholders in Gizo.
The workshop focuses on basic news writing, production content development, social media strategy, and sales & marketing aimed at enhancing staff capabilities to write radio news and produce quality radio programs.
SIBC’s Head of Marketing and Sales, Moddie Nanau, explained that the workshop is intended to better equip Gizo staff and enable them to multi-task in their roles.
“SIBC is very pleased to bring local trainers to help disseminate information to our staff here and to other stakeholders who are attending the workshop,” Nanau said.
BBC Media Action Solomon Islands Coordinator, Sina Adrian, who organized the workshop, explained that the refresher workshop is part of BBC Media Action’s objective to strengthen media organizations in the Solomon Islands.
He added, while BBC Media Action has established partnerships with some media houses, it is important to continue supporting capacity building across different organizations.
“This refresher workshop is the first of many workshops to be conducted in the country, Gizo Radio Hapi Lagun is the first station to kick start our series of workshops for journalists and broadcasters in the country,” he explained.
Sina also highlighted the importance of equipping provincial-based media personnel with knowledge; without these skills, issues requiring attention may go unreported.
He also stressed the value of engaging stakeholders in Gizo who use radio to disseminate information, and ensuring they are equipped with tools to create content that suits their audience.
Radio Hapi Lagun Station Manager Leilani Makini said she is overwhelmed because the refresher workshop is the first of its kind for her staff in Gizo.
“I am very happy because my staff need this kind of refresher workshop to motivate us to do our jobs better,” Makini said.
“We are broadcasters who previously lacked formal news-writing training, but with this workshop I am confident my team will be motivated and will practice news writing and script programs as part of our work in Gizo,” she added.
As part of the workshop the team also paid a courtesy visit to the Western Provincial Assembly Premier Billy Veo and his staff.
The Radio Hapi Lagun refresher workshop will conclude Friday. It is fully funded by BBC Media Action in collaboration with the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation.