The National Fishery and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) has successfully concluded a three-day media training workshop focused on strengthening media literacy and promoting ethical journalism in fishery and aquaculture reporting across Liberia.
Held in collaboration with the World Bank, the training was part of the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project (LSMFP), and aimed to equip journalists with the tools to report accurately and objectively on the fishery sector—one of Liberia’s most critical and complex industries.
The training began on Thursday, October 30 and ended November 1, 2024 at NaFAA’s technical building, Coast Guard Base, Bushrod Island.
Speaking at the close of the workshop, William Y. Boeh, Deputy Director General for Technical Services at NaFAA, emphasized the importance of accurate, unbiased reporting in an industry that directly affects both the livelihoods of local fishermen and the sustainable management of marine resources.
“The fishery sector is a vital component of our economy and environment. It is essential that the knowledge gained here today empowers you to reduce misinformation and improve public understanding of this field,” Boeh stated.
The training covered four key areas: fishery management and governance, value-addition in fish and fish products, support for aquaculture, and project management. Each of these elements was designed to give journalists a comprehensive understanding of the sector’s dynamics and challenges, enabling them to report responsibly and avoid sensationalism.
Frank Sainworla, speaking on behalf of the training facilitators, urged participants to apply the insights gained in ways that benefit both the public and the sector itself. “This training is not just about promoting NaFAA or the project,” he noted.
Sainworla disclosed that the training was also meant to practice solutions-oriented journalism that truly serves the fishery community.
“The stories you produce should reflect not only the project’s impacts but also educate and inform the wider public,” he stated.
As the workshop concluded, each journalist received a certificate, symbolizing their commitment to raising awareness about fisheries and aquaculture issues.