Media managers from 15 countries attend media training in Japan. (Courtesy).

About 15 senior media personnel from around the world have arrived in Japan for training on the role of media in democratic countries, access to information and functions of the media as a watchdog.

Eye Radio’s Station Manager, Koang Pal Chang, among media professionals undergoing training in Tokyo.

The training is organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency or JICA, and NHK International (or rather Japan Broadcasting Corporation.)

The participants in the program are media managers from public broadcasters and independent media institutions from Africa, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia countries.

They come from South Sudan, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi, Zambia, Kosovo, Fiji, and Cambodia. Four media professionals from South Sudan are participating in the training.

During the course briefing, JICA Senior Advisor, Keiichi Hashimoto says the only way to fight against false information is to support the media across the globe.

“JICA is supporting the establishment of a single “really trustworthy” to set a professional model which disseminates fair, accurate, and neutral information to all the inhabitants,” Dr. Hashimoto said.

JICA stated that the media across the globe is faced with two obstacles against Freedom of expression.”

This includes pressure from the market [sponsors] which couldn’t be avoided by commercial media, according to JICA.

Another challenge is pressure from the authorities, thus, JICA stated that it’s the role of the media to fight against it.

It pointed out that it is difficult to criticize the authorities and obtain accurate information from them.

“As a journalist, if something is beyond your control in the newsroom, use your journalistic consciousness, and adhere to editorial policy,” said Sato Toshiyuki – Special Controller, of the Japan Broadcasting Corporation.