US Embassy workshop

More than two dozen regional journalists now have a much better understanding of the work done by the United States Embassy for the Eastern Caribbean in Barbados, other than the issuing of visas.{{more}}

That’s because the 25 journalists were exposed to the duties and functions of a number of key embassy personnel, among other communications experts, while participating in the 2009 US Embassy Eastern Caribbean Media Development Workshop.

The journalists from across the OECS and Barbados were briefed on the operations of the embassy while learning fundamental journalistic skills to assist them in their careers. The training took place in Bridgetown from August 24 to 28, 2009.

Officials from the US Military Liaison Office, USAID, the Political Economic Section and the Consular Section of the embassy briefed the journalists on the operations of the different departments and what they are doing for the Eastern Caribbean.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT, Head of the Political Economic Section of the Embassy, Ian Campbell, explained that the embassy is involved in security and military operations around the Eastern Caribbean.

“Most of the cooperation is in the area of training and development,” he said, adding that they also work with law enforcement agencies on drug interdiction in the Eastern Caribbean, along with disaster relief, especially after hurricanes.

The journalists were also trained in the basics of journalism by media practitioners, led by journalist and ABC News7 anchor Cynee’ Simpson, journalist Peter “Adonijah” Alleyne, photographer Ronnie Carrington, expert on etiquette, retired broadcaster and television anchor Marvo Manning and New Media journalist Saleha Williams.

The one week course included photojournalism exercises facilitated by Ronnie Carrington that took participants on a tour of Barbados’ Scotland District, including Bathsheba on the East Coast, to practice the art of photography.

A reception was also held in the participants honour at the US Embassy’s courtyard where they had the chance to interact with media personnel from Barbados.

The workshop ended on the August 28, 2009, with a closing ceremony at which participants received certificates. The Caribbean journalists were also treated to a farewell cruise aboard the catamaran Jammin’.

Three reporters from St. Vincent and the Grenadines were among the 25 trained in the course – Shaniqua Bynoe of The News newspaper, Gloria Williams of The Vincentian, and Omesha Spence from the Searchlight Newspaper. Dominica, St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada and Barbados were also represented.