Journalists from 4 TV stations learn how to do constructive journalism
Bucharest, 29 November. The Center for Independent Journalism (CIJ) organised this weekend the second training of the project “Support for Ukrainian Refugees through Media“, a UNESCO initiative funded by the Government of Japan. 14 journalists from RTT Brașov, Intermedia (Suceava, Botoșani, Neamț), Euronews Romania and Plus TV Maramureș participated in the event to improve their reporting on sensitive topics using constructive journalism techniques.
Constructive journalism presents facts, but also nuances and context, facilitates debate by connecting people in a community, and brings balance to the way a topic is perceived by the public. This type of journalism focuses on solutions and examples of best practice and is oriented towards the future of a society.
The theoretical concepts were presented by the event’s trainers, Ulrik Haagerup, former news director at the Danish Broadcasting Corporation and founder of the Constructive Institute, and Mona Dîrțu, trainer and journalist with over 20 years of experience. They worked for two days with the journalists included in the programme to find ways in which the principles of constructive journalism can be put into practice when reporting on Ukrainian refugees, whether the stories are created for the Romanian audiences or for the refugees.
Constructive journalism means that the media presents problems, but also facilitates community discussions about possible solutions. “I still believe in journalism that goes hand in hand with social responsibility. What I take from this [training] is the idea that we need to continue to act as friends of our community, to identify together the problems and find solutions”, said Adriana Dascălu, journalist at Intermedia, at the end of the training.
Journalists can contribute to constructive debates that bring communities together and avoid polarising the public: “Now that there are so many scandals and so much incitement to hatred and division, what we can do is very much up to us. We can change the perspective, even if we start from a local level, because we are addressing the community and we can change mentalities and attitudes not only through aggression and scandalous debates”, said Mica Șvab, editor-in-chief of Plus TV Maramureș.
And during these debates, facts must be presented with context. “I think of the community and the press as a perfect circle”, said Ștefania Chirciu, editor at Euronews Romania.
Journalist Mona Dîrțu discussed with the participants about the way the Romanian media and authorities communicate on Ukrainian refugees, most of the news being about what Romanians are doing for the refugees, and not about the problems or difficulties the refugees are facing. Participants appreciated the exchange of experiences with Dirțu, sharing the difficulties they have encountered so far. “It is a beneficial meeting also by sharing our experience as journalists, which can help us build further on.”, said Anca Sigmirean, administrator of RTT Brașov.
“The support given by UNESCO and financed by the Embassy of Japan is essential at a time when the Romanian press, and not only, has no more money, no more time, no more time to ask questions, to learn. And access to specialists, who help them ask questions again in order to provide better products, is more than necessary”, said Bianca Oanea, project manager at the Center for Independent Journalism.
CIJ will continue to work with the four newsrooms for another two months through weekly mentoring sessions offered to each team of journalists who report on refugees involved in the project.
The “Support for Ukrainian Refugees through Media” project, implemented by the CIJ and funded by the Government of Japan, is a UNESCO initiative developed within the framework of the UNHCR-coordinated Regional Response Plan for the situation of the Ukrainian Refugees.
For more information, please contact the Center for Independent Journalism:
Bianca Oanea, project manager, 0732.333.193, bianca.oanea@gmail.com.
About the Center for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
The Center for Independent Journalism is a non-governmental organisation active for more than 29 years in protecting democracy and those who believe in its values. The CIJ is committed to freedom of expression and education. Over 15,000 media professionals, 4,500 teachers and 100,000 students have benefited from the CIJ’s programmes over the years.
