Pacific journalists sharpen their democracy skills

Eleven young reporters from four Pacific nations arrive in Brisbane today, Sunday for a three week program aimed at sharpening their skills in reporting government and the economy.

The journalists - from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands -will attend a workshop at the Centre for International Journalism at The University of Queensland, and then will be attached to four regional newspapers and the ABC in Brisbane.

(The papers are the Sunshine Coast Daily, the News-Mail (Bundaberg), the Gladstone Observer and the Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton).

Centre director Associate Professor John Wallace said the broad goal of the program was to strengthen the reporters' understanding of the links between democracy and freedom of the press.

"As well taking part in the workshop sessions, the reporters will get first hand knowledge of how the Australian media works, and they will also be able to develop useful professional contacts," he said.

"We are working on this with the ANU Centre for Democratic Institutions, which has Federal government funds for democracy-sharing activities in our region."

Media: Further information, Associate Professor John Wallace, telephone 0419 998 463 or email: communications@mailbox.uq.edu.au.