A training course titled "Professional Standards that Boost Civil Peace in Media Coverage" started on Friday at the Ministry of Information's National News Agency (NNA) training hall, in cooperation with Maharat Foundation and under the sponsorship of the UNDP. 


15 NNA reporters from different Lebanese regions are taking part in this training course. 


NNA Director, Laure Sleiman, thanked the UNDP for its generous cooperation with the national agency to organize the training course. 


"This is a great opportunity to develop the skills and capabilities of NNA correspondents," Sleiman said. 


An agreement was inked yesterday with Maharat Foundation upon the request of Information Minister, Melhem Riachy, who has been endeavoring to evolve the ministry's work, Sleiman said. 


She lauded NNA correspondents' relentless efforts to hone their skills. "This has been translated in the big interest they have shown to take part in this training course." 


Sleiman echoed keenness to continue the organization of such courses in an attempt to strengthen and activate the role of reporters deployed all across Lebanon. She also stressed NNA reporters' firm commitment to a professional policy which bolsters civil peace. 


Joana Nassar, Director of the UNDP Peace Building Project in Lebanon, said that the media established the basis of UN activity. 


"We generally work on issues related to peace building. It is important to work with journalists, especially the National News Agency correspondents, whom will be trained for four days on topics related to their role as journalists." 


"We issued a media honorary charter for civil peace and peace building back in 2013, summarizing the role of the press in how it tackles hot topics in the country and their role in promoting civil peace," Nassar added. 


For her part, Rola Mikhael, the Executive Director of Maharat Foundation, expressed delighted cooperating with NNA. 


She made clear that the agreement with the Ministry of Information aimed at boosting the correspondents' ability to cover sensitive issues of conflict. 


"We are keen on outreaching to journalists in different areas. They are the voice of the regions they represent, and consequently enrich NNA's news service, especially in its capacity as the main source of news in Lebanon," Mikhael added.

Source: NNA