Media personnel in various media organisations in Bougainville underwent a two-and-a-half-day training on Illicit Financing and Investigative Journalism at the Adheeves Guest House in Buka town.
The workshop, funded by the European Union and implemented by the UNDP, with the support of PNG Media Council, aimed at improving transparency and accountability in the public sector in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville
Participants for the two-and-a-half-day training came from Civil Society Organisations, journalists, and youths were trained on the intricate nature of global finance, coupled with the increasingly sophisticated techniques for concealing the origin of funds. At the same time, the workshop also went into and highlighted the deep entanglement of influential power holders with capital.
Course facilitator and UNDP Consultant, Ms Tjasa Slokar, stated in her opening remarks that the workshop took into consideration that the media landscape was becoming fragile, with many media professionals lacking the extensive expertise required to effectively investigate corruption and economic crime.
“This situation underscores the necessity for focused attention and a heightened emphasis on the education of investigative journalists”, which, for Bougainville’s case, can be considered more sensitive compared to other places due to the past instabilities and environmental issues, she pointed out.
“Bougainville’s geography can complicate logistics for journalists, making access to information and safety measures challenging.”
The workshop’s aim was to empower journalists by strengthening their knowledge in these critical areas and enabling them to conduct financial investigations, leading to increased demand for integrity, transparency, and accountability by various stakeholders at the national level and in Bougainville.