Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

161101 Women in media complete sports news training

Women in media complete sports news training

Sixteen female sports journalists received certificates of completion for the Women in News and Sport training and mentoring program in Port Moresby last week. The training was designed to help female journalists carve out careers in the traditionally male-dominated industry of sports journalism.

The program, supported by the Australian Government in partnership with ABC International Development, works in three areas – providing skills training and industry knowledge; improving multi-platform content creation and; networking with other women sports journalists, media and sport organisations.

During the presentation ceremony, Deputy Australian High Commissioner Ms Bronte Moules highlighted the importance of coverage of women and girls’ achievements through sport.

“The skills you’ve honed this week on storytelling, content creation, interviewing and networking with media and sports organisations, will elevate your standing in the profession and help you to cover more women’s sport in your work.

“Through covering women’s sport in the media – and through other sports for development partnerships Australia has with Papua New Guinea – children are learning that it is normal for women to be in positions of power, and that women are to be respected and the rules followed. It demonstrates too that it is acceptable for mothers, daughters and sisters to play sport and to enjoy the social benefits of participating in sport,” said Ms Moules.

Sophie Yaruso from TV WAN News agency said the networking aspect of the initiative helped women in sports news to share experiences and to support each other.

“I believe sports is integral to a person’s development and this Women In News and Sport workshop improved my outlook beyond just covering sport events, to placing greater emphasis on women’s participation in sport and sport administration.

The Australian Government in partnership with ABC International Development is delivering the Women in News and Sport initiative across PNG and countries in the Indo-Pacific region throughout 2016-17.

For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100

Deputy Australian High Commissioner Ms Bronte Moules presenting WINS certificate of training to Heidee Woito from NBC’s Youth station, Tribe FM.