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OSCE sponsors training for BiH government spokespersons
SARAJEVO 15 March 2001
SARAJEVO, 15 March 2001 - The OSCE Mission to BiH completed spokesperson training for BiH ministry staff. This training introduced fundamental press and public information skills. With these skills, ministry staff will be better able to reach out to the public. This will promote an open, transparent and fair process that ensures that the public's right to know is respected.
"Others have said that information is the oxygen of democracy," said Dr. Regan McCarthy, Director of Media Affairs, "A well-informed public makes better choices and has greater confidence in public authorities and officials. This training is a step toward making sure there is a well-informed public, and helping ministries understand the difference between Freedom of Access to Information and general press work."
The training program covered the role of the government/ministry spokespersons, developing press/public information materials and strategies, Web technology in public affairs, media contacts and other matters. The training was attended by seventeen persons representing: The BiH Tripartite Presidency, the BiH office for the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, the Military Advisors to all three members of the BiH Presidency, the BiH Ministry of Civil Affairs, the BiH State Border Agency, the BiH Ministry of European Integration, the BiH Parliament Secretariat, the BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the BiH Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees.
"It is very clear that the BiH government needs appropriate and adequate resources for spokespersons," remarked Tanya Domi, who conducted the training. "The media and public deserve to have routine access to timely information. This is essential in any country, but especially here where public confidence in government must be bolstered."
In May 2001, the OSCE intends to invite spokespersons from the Federation and the RS government/ministries to a similar training.
For more information please call OSCE Acting Spokesperson Sanela Tunovic at ++387/(0)33 292-338 or at ++387/(0) 66 134-758.
The OSCE established its present Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 December 1995. In accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP), the OSCE Mission activities are to: promote Democratization and the building of a vibrant civil society, foster the development of professional journalism and monitor the rights of journalists, monitor and advance the Human Rights situation, supervise the conduct of Elections, and encourage Regional Stabilization through arms control and confidence and security-building measures. The OSCE Mission continues to work closely with other international organizations and local institutions to implement the Dayton Peace Accords.
"Others have said that information is the oxygen of democracy," said Dr. Regan McCarthy, Director of Media Affairs, "A well-informed public makes better choices and has greater confidence in public authorities and officials. This training is a step toward making sure there is a well-informed public, and helping ministries understand the difference between Freedom of Access to Information and general press work."
The training program covered the role of the government/ministry spokespersons, developing press/public information materials and strategies, Web technology in public affairs, media contacts and other matters. The training was attended by seventeen persons representing: The BiH Tripartite Presidency, the BiH office for the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, the Military Advisors to all three members of the BiH Presidency, the BiH Ministry of Civil Affairs, the BiH State Border Agency, the BiH Ministry of European Integration, the BiH Parliament Secretariat, the BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the BiH Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees.
"It is very clear that the BiH government needs appropriate and adequate resources for spokespersons," remarked Tanya Domi, who conducted the training. "The media and public deserve to have routine access to timely information. This is essential in any country, but especially here where public confidence in government must be bolstered."
In May 2001, the OSCE intends to invite spokespersons from the Federation and the RS government/ministries to a similar training.
For more information please call OSCE Acting Spokesperson Sanela Tunovic at ++387/(0)33 292-338 or at ++387/(0) 66 134-758.
The OSCE established its present Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 December 1995. In accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP), the OSCE Mission activities are to: promote Democratization and the building of a vibrant civil society, foster the development of professional journalism and monitor the rights of journalists, monitor and advance the Human Rights situation, supervise the conduct of Elections, and encourage Regional Stabilization through arms control and confidence and security-building measures. The OSCE Mission continues to work closely with other international organizations and local institutions to implement the Dayton Peace Accords.