Journalists and communication officers from various Pacific nations have convened in Palau this week for a regional Media Masterclass, running alongside the Second Pacific Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Ministerial Meeting. This five-day event aims to strengthen collaboration among media professionals, scientists, and disaster management officials on climate-related issues as well as disaster risk management across the region.
Australian Ambassador to Palau, H.E. Toby Sharpe, who officiated at the opening, emphasized the crucial role communicators play in shaping the Pacific region’s response to escalating climate and disaster challenges. “Each of you plays a vital role in helping the region understand and respond to the issues of climate change, ocean health, and disaster risks,” Ambassador Sharpe noted. He emphasized that the masterclass serves as a strategic investment in regional resilience and facilitates comprehensive coverage of the upcoming Ministerial meeting.
Organized by the Pacific Community (SPC) through its Climate and Oceans Support Programme in the Pacific (COSPPac), the training seeks to create stronger partnerships between the media and technical agencies, including National Disaster Management Offices (NDMOs) and National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs). Rhonda Robinson, Director of SPC’s Geoscience, Energy, and Maritime (GEM) Division, pointed out that this masterclass would enhance journalists’ and communicators’ ability to report on complex scientific and disaster-related topics while supporting effective regional coverage.
Leilani Raklai from the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) urged participants to leverage their storytelling skills to make complex scientific information more comprehensible for communities. She highlighted the media’s responsibility to narrate stories that resonate with audiences, particularly during disasters.
This event builds upon the success of previous SPC-led media-science collaborations, such as the 2019 UN Decade of Ocean Science Media Masterclass held in New Caledonia and the 2023 Pacific Ocean Science Conference in Fiji. These initiatives not only enriched the relationship between journalists and Pacific scientists but also amplified youth and indigenous voices in crucial regional science reporting.
The spirit of collaboration reflected in these training events signals a hopeful future for Pacific Island nations. By enhancing the capabilities of journalists, the region can expect a more informed public dialogue that drives action against pressing climate and disaster risks, ultimately fostering a stronger, united response to the challenges ahead.
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