A local NGO, Bridge for Social Service (BRISS), on Friday trained 35 Warrap State journalists on handling stories in conflict areas.
The one-day training, held at Salam Hotel in Kuajok town, was funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). Its theme was “Peace and Community Cohesion.”
The session aimed to equip journalists with skills to cover stories in hostile environments impartially.
Santino Manut Walgot, director general of the Warrap State Ministry of Information and Communication, urged participants to maintain neutrality when reporting on sensitive issues.
“Unbalanced or one-sided reports are problematic and often lead to journalists being blamed by one community,” he said.
“I urge you, the journalists of 99.0 FM, to present accurate, fair, and balanced stories—even if you don’t have degrees in mass communication. You are practitioners,” he added.
Lead facilitator Bona Malual said hate speech escalates communal violence, prompting the training to promote peace through mainstream and social media.
“This training focuses on sensitive reporting in conflict zones. We brought journalists together to share knowledge that can help reduce tensions,” he said.
“We taught them how to report safely to minimize conflict and urged them to avoid hate speech on social media and discourage it on radio,” Malual added.
Journalist Ayuel Santino Manut said the training refreshed his skills.
“It reminded us of key principles for reporting in conflict situations,” he said.
Kuajok 99.0 FM reporter Athil Agany said she learned how to report without bias.
“I learned to avoid taking sides, protect myself and the community, and prioritize accuracy—because biased reporting can escalate violence,” she said.