Seminar looks at gender and media

The media in Belize has at various times come under fire for its alleged lack of sensitivity to issues involving women and children. To remedy that perceived shortcoming, many of us involved in the news business will take part in an educational programme that aims to upgrade skills and change attitudes.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

The seminar will encourage media workers to do more reports on gender and child issues. These are the kind of stories that every journalist claims to be interested in…but very seldom does that translate into action.

Suzette Zayden, Co-ordinator, Gender/Media Seminar

“Aparrently in Belize the media is aware that they need to be gender sensitised. At least that is what they say, but it is very infrequent that you actually see the media going out of the way to get training in this field.”

In her address to the media participants, Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Minister of Human Development, Women and Civil Service, challenged the media to play a more active role in the promotion of children, gender and social issues, instead of focusing on sensational incidents.

Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Minister of Human Development

“I believe that many may refrain from doing so because that requires research, hard work, accurate information and maybe not the captive audience. Many times these issues will not capture the interests of the public in general. But I want to challenge all of us today to begin to change people’s expectations of the media and enable them to accept a broader range of issues and interests that contribute to our positive national development.”

To meet this challenge, the participants will learn more than just positive attitudes.

Suzette Zayden

“This programme was very appealing because it has a production aspect. And I think many of the media in Belize unfortunately do not have the opportunity to get formal training in production and this was an excellent opportunity to incorporate both production techniques to the different media.

The first five weeks the participants will be subjected to a lot of information from the different NGO organisations and government departments that list women and children as priorities, youths and families who have expressed an interest in sharing their knowledge with the media.”

It is expected that at least twenty-five media workers will be attending the seminar. Reporting for News 5, Jacqueline Woods.

The seminar is organised by the NGO Help for Progress with funds provided by the Organization of American States.