Mainstream senior journalists and media practitioners yesterday began a workshop in the build-up to 16 Days of Activism for the elimination of violence against women campaign.

Media Industry Development Authority chairperson Ashwin Raj said the workshop in the leadup was about the role of the media in reporting responsibly on issues of gender-based violence.

The UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25 is also Fiji’s day of activism. The workshop is being led by international and local experts. it is supported by Australia’s Pacific  Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS).

“We are concerned about how the media reports the incidents of violence and in the Media Industry Development Decree there is specific provisions on violence and sexual-based violence, “Mr Raj said.

“If you look at section 24 and section 8 of the decree, the identification of victims, exposing victims to further trauma and glorification of violence, these are the things we are very concerned with as a regulatory body.”

Mr Raj said the workshop was about educating the media on how to responsibly report on issues of violence because violence against women was a national issue.

He said a collaborative approach was needed by all stakeholders so that they can tell the media how they expected such issues to be reported.

Feedback:  arieta.vakasukawaqa@fijisun.com.fj