Investigative journalists have a vital role to play in creating an environment where the public can make decisions with a clear understanding. This was the message given by TISL Executive Director, Dr Wijaya Jayatilaka addressing the opening session of a workshop on Training of Trainers on investigative journalism held at the Pegasus Reef Hotel recently.
Pointing out that the avenues for people to make decisions based on clear understanding is limited, he attributed this to the lack of information reaching them. He said that this gap can be filled through investigative journalism since it enables journalists to present factual and evidence based information to the public.
The five-day workshop organized by TISL was attended by university lecturers, senior journalists and trainers. There were twenty three participants.
The objective of the workshop was to introduce three publications related to investigative journalism comprising a Handbook, a Resource Book and a Training Manual published by TISL in association with Frederick Ebert Stiftung (FES). The workshop was yet another phase of the ongoing training programme for journalists jointly presented by TISL and FES.
Dr Jayatilaka said that the publications had been carefully prepared over a period of two years and thanked the senior media personnel and regional journalists for their input. He made special mention of the editor, Professor Ralph Fladino from the United States.
He added that TISL hopes to conduct training sessions on investigative journalism for both national and regional journalists on a planned programme.