Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PARAMARIBO621
2007-12-04 18:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Paramaribo
Cable title:
U.S. SPONSORED MEDIA TRAINING ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECEIVED,
how-toVZCZCXRO3384 RR RUEHGR DE RUEHPO #0621 3381809 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 041809Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9839 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE RUEHAO/AMCONSUL CURACAO 1206
UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000621
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/PDA for APRUITT, IIP/SDIS for Mona Esquetini, IIP/S for
Camille Barone
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OEXC OPRC NS
SUBJECT: U.S. SPONSORED MEDIA TRAINING ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECEIVED,
COMBATS NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES
This cable is a program evaluation of FY 2008 U.S. Speaker Stephen
Coon, program tracker No. 30388
A. Name of Speaker: Professor Stephen C. Coon, International
Communications Consultant and Emeritus Associate Professor of the
Greenlee School of Journalism, Iowa State University
B. Dates of Program: Monday, November 5 through Friday, November
9
C. MSP Themes Addressed: Goal #1: Mutual U.S./Suriname appreciation
and respect contributing to a more effective partnership. Goal #2:
Strong democratic and judicial institutions, supported by effective
law enforcement.
D. SUMMARY: Professor Stephen C. Coon conducted four days of media
training on editing and critical journalistic thinking in Suriname's
two largest cities, reaching thirteen separate media outlets as well
as government Public Affairs Officers. The journalists, whose
formal training is often nil, received the training
enthusiastically. The training helped counteract negative
stereotypes about U.S. influence on the media, while promoting U.S.
goals of strengthened democratic institutions. The two-day
workshops covered the production and editing of visuals and sounds
and identifying relevant pictures, and focused on technical aspects
of news gathering and editing, but were also grounded in the theme
of a free press in a democratic society.
E. Audience reached and size: Coon provided journalists from
thirteen separate media outlets as well as government Public Affairs
Officers skills in news editing. Coon, who came to Suriname for the
third time, conducted training in Nieuw Nickerie in which 21 local
journalists participated. Outreach to Nieuw Nickerie has been an
important aspect of Post attempts to reach a diversified audience in
2006 and 2007. In Paramaribo 22 journalists participated in a
two-day workshop. The Paramaribo workshop confirmed a long-standing
mutual relationship with the local press, which is in need of and
desires additional training. At the end of both workshops the
participants received certificates of appreciation from the U.S.
Embassy in Paramaribo.
F. Effectiveness of the speaker in communicating intended messages
to target audiences: Coon's presence in Suriname received extensive
media attention. The opening and closing of the Nickerie workshop
appeared on all three local TV stations. All three stations also
broadcast separate interviews with Mr. Coon and Embassy officials.
The opening of the Paramaribo workshop was covered by three TV
stations: STVS, RBN, and Apintie, and Radio 10. Coon's visit was
greeted with enthusiasm by participants. Spots were filled quickly,
and one of the TV stations in Nieuw Nickerie even brought in their
nightly newscast video to request a personal critique from Coon.
Coon's workshops supported one of the U.S Government's most
important goals, namely supporting the strengthening of democracy in
Suriname.
G. Type and Quality of IIP support: Post appreciated IIP's efforts
to help make this program work despite the quick turnaround. IIP's
flexibility and understanding was essential to making the program a
success.
H. Impact: Combating negative stereotypes with the media is more
important than ever. During the Nieuw Nickerie training, EmbOffs
had a separate lunch with prominent local politician and former
candidate for President of Suriname Mohamed Doekhie. Doekhie told
EmbOffs, "this evening I'm going to get together with some of those
journalists, and tell them that this training is really about
telling them what to say so that it's not against the United
States." The training, with its focus on critical thinking, was
directly in contrast to Doekhie's assertions, and gives journalists
tools with which to answer Doekhie on the basis of analysis and
experience, rather than stereotypes and emotion. (For additional
details on impact, see item F.)
GENTON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/PDA for APRUITT, IIP/SDIS for Mona Esquetini, IIP/S for
Camille Barone
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OEXC OPRC NS
SUBJECT: U.S. SPONSORED MEDIA TRAINING ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECEIVED,
COMBATS NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES
This cable is a program evaluation of FY 2008 U.S. Speaker Stephen
Coon, program tracker No. 30388
A. Name of Speaker: Professor Stephen C. Coon, International
Communications Consultant and Emeritus Associate Professor of the
Greenlee School of Journalism, Iowa State University
B. Dates of Program: Monday, November 5 through Friday, November
9
C. MSP Themes Addressed: Goal #1: Mutual U.S./Suriname appreciation
and respect contributing to a more effective partnership. Goal #2:
Strong democratic and judicial institutions, supported by effective
law enforcement.
D. SUMMARY: Professor Stephen C. Coon conducted four days of media
training on editing and critical journalistic thinking in Suriname's
two largest cities, reaching thirteen separate media outlets as well
as government Public Affairs Officers. The journalists, whose
formal training is often nil, received the training
enthusiastically. The training helped counteract negative
stereotypes about U.S. influence on the media, while promoting U.S.
goals of strengthened democratic institutions. The two-day
workshops covered the production and editing of visuals and sounds
and identifying relevant pictures, and focused on technical aspects
of news gathering and editing, but were also grounded in the theme
of a free press in a democratic society.
E. Audience reached and size: Coon provided journalists from
thirteen separate media outlets as well as government Public Affairs
Officers skills in news editing. Coon, who came to Suriname for the
third time, conducted training in Nieuw Nickerie in which 21 local
journalists participated. Outreach to Nieuw Nickerie has been an
important aspect of Post attempts to reach a diversified audience in
2006 and 2007. In Paramaribo 22 journalists participated in a
two-day workshop. The Paramaribo workshop confirmed a long-standing
mutual relationship with the local press, which is in need of and
desires additional training. At the end of both workshops the
participants received certificates of appreciation from the U.S.
Embassy in Paramaribo.
F. Effectiveness of the speaker in communicating intended messages
to target audiences: Coon's presence in Suriname received extensive
media attention. The opening and closing of the Nickerie workshop
appeared on all three local TV stations. All three stations also
broadcast separate interviews with Mr. Coon and Embassy officials.
The opening of the Paramaribo workshop was covered by three TV
stations: STVS, RBN, and Apintie, and Radio 10. Coon's visit was
greeted with enthusiasm by participants. Spots were filled quickly,
and one of the TV stations in Nieuw Nickerie even brought in their
nightly newscast video to request a personal critique from Coon.
Coon's workshops supported one of the U.S Government's most
important goals, namely supporting the strengthening of democracy in
Suriname.
G. Type and Quality of IIP support: Post appreciated IIP's efforts
to help make this program work despite the quick turnaround. IIP's
flexibility and understanding was essential to making the program a
success.
H. Impact: Combating negative stereotypes with the media is more
important than ever. During the Nieuw Nickerie training, EmbOffs
had a separate lunch with prominent local politician and former
candidate for President of Suriname Mohamed Doekhie. Doekhie told
EmbOffs, "this evening I'm going to get together with some of those
journalists, and tell them that this training is really about
telling them what to say so that it's not against the United
States." The training, with its focus on critical thinking, was
directly in contrast to Doekhie's assertions, and gives journalists
tools with which to answer Doekhie on the basis of analysis and
experience, rather than stereotypes and emotion. (For additional
details on impact, see item F.)
GENTON