AIBD Regional Workshop Empowers Women Journalists With Crisis Reporting Skills

By Rohana Nasrah and Rozlin Rosmin

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- A three-day regional workshop titled “Empowering Women Journalists in Crisis Reporting” begins here today, equipping some 20 women journalists from Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia with enhanced capabilities for crisis reporting and safety preparedness.

Organised by the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), in collaboration with UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) and Radio Television Brunei (RTB), the programme  brings together women journalists from print, broadcast and online platforms. 

AIBD Chief Executive Officer G. Philomena urged women journalists must be responsible to prioritise self-care, and maintain resilience when facing the constant pressures, exposure to traumatic events, and online threats inherent in news reporting.

“We encourage participants of this workshop to share their own stories, as this is not just a teaching session but also a platform for sharing.

“We will be exploring risk assessment, crisis communication and mental health awareness,” she said via a Zoom meeting during the opening of the workshop here today.

Philomena, who is also the AIBD secretariat director, said reporting on tragedies and chaotic events can take a significant toll on journalists' mental health, and it is crucial to acknowledge and address this issue.

“This is something women journalists need to train themselves for and remain mentally alert, to ensure they stay resilient and can report the best stories. It’s part of the risk that comes with being a journalist,” she added. 

The workshop participants include two journalists from the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama): Rohana Nasrah from the Sabah Bureau and Rozlin Rusharmeen Rosmin from the Sarawak Bureau.

Meanwhile, in his welcoming remarks, RTB acting director Cheong Chee Keong said the workshop addresses a critical need, highlighting the vital role women journalists across Southeast Asia play in delivering accurate, timely and human-centred stories from the frontlines. 

“However, many face heightened risks, from threats to personal safety and harassment to a lack of institutional support and gender-sensitive safety measures.

“That is why this initiative is so meaningful. Over the next three days, this workshop will provide practical skills in safety protocols, trauma management and gender-inclusive reporting,” he said.

Cheong said the workshop also aims to strengthen skills to use AI tools responsibly for crisis alerts, ethical storytelling and content verification.

Furthermore, it will provide opportunities to share experiences, build networks and inspire systemic change to better support women journalists in newsrooms, particularly during crises.

He added that the programme, aligned with UNESCO’s Safety Guide for Journalists and AIBD’s ongoing commitment, is designed not only to equip participants to report more safely and effectively but also to become advocates for change within their organisations.

“We hope that at the end of this workshop, participants will bring back concrete action plans, whether in revising newsroom safety protocols, implementing digital hygiene practices or establishing peer-support networks, to strengthen overall resilience and safety culture in their respective media organisations,” he concluded.

-- BERNAMA