Both sides now

This media training experience has been a little like coaching both sides in a sports match. I train reporters to ask the questions that real people are asking, then train the public relations practitioners to respond by staying on message. Earlier this week there was an interview show on DhiTV, the name means something like "Checkmate," where both guest and host did a great job of putting the coaching into practice. It was the kind of frank discussion that is needed here.
The elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about: religion. I heard that a woman was publicly flogged (100 lashes with a bat) recently under the strict Islamic law here, yet murderers, drug dealers, rapists and child molestors can walk free because the lawmakers are too busy fighting to pass the tough anti-crime bills needed by the cops. For every move toward an open society there is pressure from extremists to move back to the middle ages.
As we're finishing up editing on the PR training video, I had a chance to reconnect with some of my colleagues from the 2008 trip.
I hope everyone here gets the point that no matter what party is in power, good journalism and effective public relations are important for the future of the emerging democracy in the Maldives. For those who felt it was a political liability to meet with me, see you next time.