Knight Journalism Fellow Trains Liberian Journalists

By Ora Garway

Marquita Smith, a Knight International Journalism Fellow, is in the country to train Liberian Journalists as part of Liberia 's post war recovery program.

Knight International Journalism Fellowship is headquartered in Washington DC , the United States of America . Marquita Smith told Public Agenda she is in Liberia for one year.

Marquita Smith has already commenced the training of over fifteen judicial reporters. The training taking place at the Liberia Media Center will run up to June, 2008. Marquita said she hope to train a good number of journalists in all categories.

Marquita Smith urged reporters during the first day of the session to build relationship with each other in order to get ahead of the story. She said it is a pity that Liberian Journalists are not informed on a daily basis of the trial of former president Charles Taylor.

Ms. Smith also encouraged the journalists to work with her to be able to find ways and means for journalists in Liberia to begin to tell the world about the trial of Mr. Taylor.

“You got to work along with me in that direction, it is bad that you are not seeing the trial of Mr. Taylor, you guys should be telling Liberia and the world what is happening and not just anybody”, she said.

According to her, justice reporting has an impact on almost every aspect of the Liberian society including public policy, elections, crime, free speech, health care, education and the environment.

“When you talks about developing the media, investing in those who cover courts make a lot of sense” she noted.

The Knight International Journalism Fellowships stimulate and nurture transformational change in journalists, media and societies around the world. Funded by the  John S. and James L. Knight Foundation , the Fellowships program sends international media professionals to key countries where there are opportunities for meaningful and measurable change. Working with partner organizations on high-impact projects, they build skills and enhance the standards of independent news organizations. By raising professional journalism practices worldwide, Knight International helps media make societies more accountable to their citizens. The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) administers the Knight International Journalism Fellowships. ICFJ, a non-profit, professional organization, promotes quality journalism worldwide in the belief that independent, vigorous media are crucial in improving the human condition. Over the past 22 years, ICFJ has worked directly with more than 20,000 journalists from 176 countries. Aiming to raise the standards of journalism, ICFJ offers hands-on training workshops, seminars, fellowships and international exchanges to reporters and media managers around the globe.   The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is the Knight International Journalism Fellowships program's sole funder. The foundation promotes excellence in journalism worldwide and invests in the vitality of 26 U.S. communities. Knight Foundation is among the nation's largest independent grant-making organizations with newspaper origins. It has provided financial support for the fellowships since their inception in 1993.