Overview:
The Pacific Media Masterclass kicked off in Koror this week, bringing together journalists, scientists, and disaster experts from across the region to strengthen how Pacific stories on climate and disaster resilience are told. With support from COSPPac, SPC, and PINA, the weeklong training aims to build trust between media and science—and help communities make informed, life-saving decisions.
(Koror, Palau – Island Times) “This masterclass is not just a training—it’s a strategic investment in regional resilience,” said Australian Ambassador to Palau Toby Sharpe at the opening of the Pacific Media Masterclass in Koror on Monday, setting the tone for a week focused on learning, teamwork, and improving how Pacific journalists report on climate change and disasters.
The event, held alongside the Second Pacific Disaster Risk Management Ministerial Meeting, brings together reporters, communicators, scientists, and disaster experts from across the region. Through workshops and discussion panels, participants will learn to better explain complex science topics—like ocean health, weather patterns, and disaster preparedness—in ways that are clear and useful for Pacific communities.
Supported by the Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific (COSPPac), the Pacific Community (SPC), and the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), the masterclass aims to improve reporting on disaster risk and climate issues and to build lasting partnerships between media and scientific organizations.
Ambassador Sharpe said the program is part of Australia’s continued support for clear and inclusive communication. “Through COSPPac, we continue to invest in inclusive communication and capacity building—because informed communities are resilient communities,” he said.
Rhonda Robinson, Director of SPC’s Geoscience, Energy, and Maritime Division, said the training is not only about improving skills but also about strengthening trust between the media and the science community. “We are here not only to build skills and share knowledge, but to strengthen the partnerships that are essential to communicating climate, ocean, weather, and disaster risk information in ways that reach and resonate with our communities,” she said.
Representing Pacific media, PINA Vice President Leilani Reklai welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of bridging communication between scientists and journalists. “This week’s program is special because it connects two worlds that don’t always meet often enough—our scientists and disaster management experts on one side, and us, the media, on the other,” Reklai said. She encouraged participants to “find better ways to communicate information that can actually save lives and help communities make good decisions.”
Throughout the week, participants will take part in practical workshops and group exercises aimed at improving their storytelling skills. The program’s goal is to help journalists across the Pacific produce clear, accurate, and powerful stories that inform the public and strengthen community resilience in the face of disasters and climate change.