A fascinating day with some outstanding TV and PR professionals in Colombo. I was invited to present a one-day workshop on "Managing TV News in a Post Conflict Environment." Now that the conflict with the LTTE rebels is officially over, the question is... what next? How do you find a story when the bombs, tanks and guns aren't exploding right in front of you?
Our discussion of enterprise stories was fascinating. The group divided into teams to propose story ideas using Crisis Conflict Resoultion and value to the viewer as criteria. Two teams explored the possibility of tourism expanding in Sri Lanka now that the war is over.
The third team was comprised of veteran war journalists who came up with an idea about a farmer who received a presidential award for a plan to combat rat infestations in the rice harvest. Only problem was... they made it up.
Oh well, it was just a theoretical exercise and maybe I wasn't clear that they had to pitch a story that could actually be done. These correspondents have awesome experience in a country where journalists face a lot of difficulties.
I learned as much or more from them as I hope they did from me. The lunch of typical local street food was a culinary experience.
My thanks to everyone at the US embassy, especially Jeff Anderson and Glen Davis, who made it a success. Also my thanks to Hilmy, who worked with my team on the Think Nation campaign in Maldives and now works in the communications office for Maldivian President Nasheed, for taking his valuable time to attend and contribute.
A fascinating day with some outstanding TV and PR professionals in Colombo. I was invited to present a one-day workshop on "Managing TV News in a Post Conflict Environment." Now that the conflict with the LTTE rebels is officially over, the question is... what next? How do you find a story when the bombs, tanks and guns aren't exploding right in front of you?
Our discussion of enterprise stories was fascinating. The group divided into teams to propose story ideas using Crisis Conflict Resoultion and value to the viewer as criteria. Two teams explored the possibility of tourism expanding in Sri Lanka now that the war is over. 
The third team was comprised of veteran war journalists who came up with an idea about a farmer who received a presidential award for a plan to combat rat infestations in the rice harvest. Only problem was... they made it up. 
Oh well, it was just a theoretical exercise and maybe I wasn't clear that they had to pitch a story that could actually be done. These correspondents have awesome experience in a country where journalists face a lot of difficulties.
I learned as much or more from them as I hope they did from me. The lunch of typical local street food was a culinary experience. 
My thanks to everyone at the US embassy, especially Jeff Anderson and Glen Davis, who made it a success. Also my thanks to Hilmy, who worked with my team on the Think Nation campaign in Maldives and now works in the communications office for Maldivian President Nasheed, for taking his valuable time to attend and contribute. 
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