By: Faith Chen
During the recent media training held on August 29, a discussion took place between public relations professionals and experienced journalists regarding the launch of a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing media training for youth and the broader community. This new nonprofit aims to provide opportunities for anyone interested in developing their skills under the guidance of professional journalists and Public Information Officers (PIOs).
Currently in the early stages of development, the nonprofit organization is actively working on establishing its bylaws and policies to formalize its structure. Its mission is to help journalists, reporters, public affairs officers, bloggers, and citizen reporters enhance their skills in networking, ethical communication, and media practices.
Oyaol Ngirairikl, a key voice in the project, emphasized the collaborative vision: “The discussion at this point is how do we bring journalists, PIOs, and partners—whether it’s United Airlines, embassies, or others—together to help grow all of the professionals involved in this language landscape.”
The nonprofit is expected to partner with the Palau Media Council as a training hub. This partnership will focus on expanding media literacy and communication skills beyond traditional journalism to include public affairs and digital reporting fields. The ultimate goal is to create an inclusive platform where anyone interested in sharing and shaping the information landscape can participate.
Although still in its formative phase, the organization aims to begin training youth reporters and others eager to improve their communication and networking abilities. Oyaol added, “This organization is where professionals come together to discuss the types of training they believe people want and need.”
This initiative is said to enhance Palau’s media environment by cultivating new talent and promoting ethical, well-informed communication throughout the community.