Mbandaka, 28 July 2010 - MONUSCO Public Information Office held, from 20 to 22 July,.a two-day seminar for Media professionals in Gbadolite, North Ubangi District. The participants were very appreciative and expressed a warm gratitude to MONUSCO for this initiative. The second of its kins in the media Equator Province.

Thirty-seven journalists, technicians and presenters from across the district of Nord-Ubangi (Mobayi-Mbongo, Bili, Bosobolo, Buisinga and Gbadolite) participate in this seminar. The first day was devoted to theorical presentations on issues such as the rights and duties of the media professionals (code and journalistic ethics). A "very useful" reminder for the participants who described the conditions in which community and rural radios, often "private properties" for politicians, operate. Managers of these media are very often faced with serious challenges and have to choose between professionnal ethics or bend to the reality on the ground?. Their working conditions are also very precarious as they do not have a contract and don't receive any salary. "We work as volunteers," says Jean-Louis Yalugu, Radio Bili editor, a radio located some 151 km from Gbadolite. However, he recalled the need for abiding by the professional ethics and keeping themselves as independent as possible for the purpose of their own credibility. Other subjects presented during this seminars are the type of relationship between media and political powers, the organization and operation of a radio station, the different types of journalistic products (coated, paper, short, sound, etc.. ).

The following day participants were split into working groups and given practical exercises on different subjects such as writing for radio, preparation and casting news at their greatest satisfaction. Emmanuel Momotoyi Gbadolite Radio Freedom, spokesman for the participants said: "We are grateful to MONUSCO Public Information division for this training which helped us in term of capacity-building for our profession". .

The training session was held a week after the opening of MONUC Quick Impact-funded Press Centre in Gbadolite.