The National Parliament of Solomon Islands, in partnership with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), on Wednesday opened a three-day Parliament and Media Workshop aimed at strengthening collaboration and mutual understanding between Parliament and mainstream media practitioners.
Held at the King Solomon Hotel, the workshop brings together reporters from leading media outlets and parliamentary officers for an intensive programme that will deepen participants’ understanding of parliamentary processes, institutional roles, and best practices in parliamentary reporting.
In his opening remarks, the Clerk to the National Parliament, Mr. Jefferson Hallu, underlined the importance of accurate, timely communication between Parliament and the public.
Mr. Hallu said the workshop is a timely initiative to “build stronger, more transparent links between parliamentary work and the communities we serve.”
This is also a step closer to the launch of the Parliament press gallery which is scheduled to be functional by 2026.
Ms Emma Davis, Deputy Commissioner of the British High Commission, welcomed the initiative and highlighted the value of constructive engagement between media and parliamentary institutions for democratic accountability and informed public debate.
The workshop programme includes:
- An institutional overview of Parliament’s structures, departments and functions, with guided tours of parliamentary facilities.
- Sessions on parliamentary reporting and ethics, featuring practical guidance for journalists covering parliamentary business.
- Interactive panels on challenges and opportunities in reporting parliament and on building sustained Parliament–media partnerships.
- Reflection and feedback sessions to develop a roadmap for ongoing collaboration.
Representing the Parliament’s media function, Mr. Duane Baiabe, Acting Director, Media Unit — Public Engagement and Communication Department, stressed that the workshop is designed to promote practical cooperation and to improve the flow of information between Parliament and citizens through the media.
Leading the facilitators in the workshop is Ms. Naomi Goldsmith, a former BBC political reporter and media and communications expert.
The three-day workshop will conclude on 3 October 2025 with a closing session focused on recommendations and next steps for strengthening Parliament–media engagement across the Solomon Islands.
