BY IRWIN ANGIKI

People’s access to information from Parliament is projected to improve following an icebreaker workshop between parliament officials and media Tuesday this week.

Funded by the United Kingdom’s Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and BBC Media Action the workshop aimed to kick start working relations between parliament and media towards easier flow of information from parliament to public.

Themed “Effective media platforms for parliament officials” the workshop brought together officials from various offices within Parliament and journalists/ editors from various media outlets.

Parliamentary staff and media personnel shared their experiences in past engagements and drew up suggestions on how to better communicate information, especially from parliament to media, which can then be released for public consumption.

Parliament is still without a communication strategy despite plans to establish one, and the workshop signals the pathway towards creating one.

Clerk to Parliament Jefferson Halle in his address to the workshop underlined his office’s desire to have a communication strategy in place through which factual and accurate information can reach the people via media platforms.

“There is a synergy between parliament staff and media – providing accurate information.

“Throughout today we can help each other, parliament providing the accurate information and assist journalists in understanding the complex parliament procedures, provide access to relevant documents.

“This enhances public engagement by working together to make sure parliamentary information is accessible to public.

“One outcome anticipated from this workshop is for us to develop our own communication strategy so that we can relate well with the media fraternity.

“As the UK ambassador has said, it works well for the governed and not the governor, it is for the information of public and communities and that relation between parliament staff and media is crucial to ensure accurate information is disseminated to public,” Clerk Halle said.

He adds that this will also ensure that public are shielded from misinformation which is rife in this heavily digitalised era.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Opening the workshop, High Commissioner for the United Kingdom His Excellency Paul Turner said his country is pleased to assist Solomon Islands’ parliament by supporting its effort to improve its communication strategy and have a workable partnership with the media.

“Our job in this workshop is to equip and prepare you as parliamentary officials to be able to flourish in such an environment – to manage the flow of information and sharpen your skills in interacting with the media and ultimately with the public.

“The vision I have for Solomons is – a country where the media can hold its politicians and public institutions to account and where our parliamentarians can hold the government – the Executive – to account.

“We, the UK are at the forefront working on both those aspects – the media and the parliamentarians.

“We are doing this through our partnerships with the BBC Media Action and the Westminster Foundation. It is a source of immense pride for us.

“And, so today we bring together these two foundations of the country – the media and the Parliament – the foundations of any democratic society.

“Your role is crucial as parliamentarians – enabling the flow of information to the media and public in a clear, timely and professional manner. The workshop will help you in fulfilling those responsibilities,” Mr Turner said.

Two of the country’s senior journalists, Robert Iroga and Georgina Kekea facilitated the workshop along with parliament media’s director (acting) – chief media officer Duane Baiabe.

Ms Kekea in an interview after the workshop said the workshop is a milestone for public, parliament and media.

“After all this, public will better access information from parliament, media can easily access information from parliament to publish to public, and our parliament’s transparency and accountability is boosted.

“Importantly, after this workshop, parliament will come up with its communication strategy to partner with media to share information.”

The workshop was funded by WFD and BBC Media Action, both institutions supported by the government of the UK, and Solomon Islands’ National Parliament.

Media participants included Island Sun Newspaper, Tavuli News Online, SBM Online, Solomon Star Newspaper, Sunday Isles and SIBC.

Parliament officials attending included reps from the Opposition Office, parliament media, library, admin, accounts, Hansard and record, and security.

The workshop was held at one of the Heritage Park hotel conference rooms.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]