Senior Journalists from across the Caribbean, working largely with the print media, attended a one-week course in Port of Spain, Trinidad, organised by the London-based Commonwealth Press Union (CPU). It is an association which groups from the largest influential British newspapers to The Anguillian in Anguilla.

Express Manager/Editor and Nat Hodge

The course, entitled “Challenging the Establishment – Transparency in Reporting”, was held from January 21-25 at Express House. It was conducted by Training Consultant Ian Cobain, Chief Reporter with The Guardian in London, in cooperation with Trinidadian Coordinator and Media Consultant, Lennox Grant. Its objective was to equip regional reporters with the skills in reporting matters authoritatively and honestly and to ensure transparency for civil society.

Mr. Ian Cobain and Mr. Lennox Grant

The topics covered included the following: What is investigative journalism? Deciding what or whom to investigate and what not to investigate; developing greater investigative skills; help in keeping out of trouble in terms of legal issues while researching the story and after it was published or broadcast; the shortcomings and accomplishments of the media in advancing the cause of more penetrative reporting; sources of information; freedom of information legislation; going undercover; and the power of the picture: the use of graphics, photographs and other visuals to assist in the presentation of investigative journalism.

Regional Journalism students and their facilitators

In addition to the facilitators, a number of legal and media experts from the region assisted in conducting the most informative and useful course.

The Anguillian was represented by its Publisher/Editor, Nat Hodge.

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