Carty applauds best practice training for Journalists

Basseterre, St. Kitts (SKNIS):  Journalistic standards in St. Kitts and Nevis are expected to improve following a best practice training workshop organised by the Public Affairs department of the United States Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Some 20 journalists attended the April 01 workshop held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort which was led by Luis Botello, Senior Program Director, International Center for Journalism, Washington D.C.

Commenting on the media training, Minister for Information, Honourable Nigel Carty said he was “delighted to hear of yesterday’s session.”

“I have great respect and admiration for the professionalism and honour of some journalists,” he stated. “Journalism is an honourable calling and carries with it a tremendous responsibility to accurately convey information and opinion to civil society. It is a valuable tool in a democratic society and this was a major factor in Government’s decision to grant licenses to so many media houses over the years.”

The Minister continued: “despite the fact we have a free and independent press in St Kitts and Nevis, some journalism does suffer from several afflictions such as a lack of fact checking and balanced reporting. In order to preserve freedom of expression editors must also accept responsibility and hold journalists to account. Upholding media ethics are an important element of our freedoms and must include accurate reporting and an opportunity to reply to inaccurate reports; respect for people’s privacy and journalists must not harass or intimidate individuals in pursuit of a story. I hope that the media training offered yesterday will support journalists in giving the people of the twin-island Federation the fair and open media they deserve.”