BBC Trust hosts government-media seminar in Wau

30 Oct 2011

BBC Trust hosts government-media seminar in Wau

26 October 2011 – In an effort to improve relations between government and media in Western Bahr El-Ghazal State, the BBC World Service Trust held a one-day relationship-building seminar in the capital Wau.

Themed "Government and Media Working Together to Build a Strong Nation", the seminar aimed to bridge the gap between government officials and media to ensure positive contributions from both to development in South Sudan

Acting State Governor Effisio Kon thanked BBC trust for organizing the seminar and assured participants there would be freedom of expression and media in the state.

"It is media and communication that brings people together," he said.

Mr. Kon urged local journalists to ensure that their reports were accurate.

"BBC Trust is doing (a) series of seminars around South Sudan as the culmination of two years of governance work that has been carried out during election, referendum," said Carol Morgan, BBC Trust Country Director.

"This seminar is the final step to finish this governance work," she added. "We are now taking up development projects like health."

Ms. Morgan emphasized that BBC Trust would continue supporting the media and government to address development challenges.

"BBC Trust has been in South Sudan since 2005 and will continue its service," she said, urging all partners involved to cooperate.

Henerica Valentino, Director of Voice of Hope FM Radio in Wau, pointed out that interaction between the government and media would improve their working relationship and result in better service for the people.

"This seminar is very helpful since it brings people together to work for the same purpose," Ms. Valentino said.