Open class for journalists on drug trafficking and organized crime

September 8, 2021

In-person participants of the open class for journalists. Photo: CMICS, 2021

“Drug trafficking and organized crime – What is it and how to report it” was the theme of the 5th open class for journalists organized by the Media Consortium in Guinea-Bissau (CMICS), which took place on the 25th of August in Bissau.

The class was taught by Francisco Sanhá, Inspector of the Judiciary Police and National Coordinator of the Fight against Drugs, and Indira Baldé, journalist and president of SINDJOTECS.

Francisco Sanhá, one of the lecturers of the open class. Photo: CMICS, 2021

“Here we learned a lot of things that will help us in our work in the future”, says Isaque Cá, one of the trainees.

“I feel more enlightened in terms of how a journalist should treat the news before publishing it”, says Domingas Ntchala, another student who participated in the class.

On every last Wednesday of the month, open classes for journalists take place at CMICS, in Quelele. These classes are then broadcasted on 16 community radios, ensuring that they reach journalists across Guinea-Bissau. The next open class will take place on the 29th of September on the theme “Basic concepts of the political and international economy – understanding to improve journalistic reporting”.

Francisco Sanhá, one of the lecturers of the open class. Photo: CMICS, 2021

The media have a key role in promoting access to quality information, which is why training is essential for the performance of their duties. 

The open class initiative is supported technically and financially by UNDP and funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund under the project,  'Political Stabilization and Reform through Confidence Building and Inclusive Dialogue.' This is the 5th open class held this year, since the inception of the project.