Asia Pacific Fellowship Opens

This year's Dart Centre Asia Pacific Fellows—16 journalists from 10 countries—assembled at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok on Sunday night. After briefings on the impact of violence and disaster, Fellows led discussions on their experience covering mountain-road car wrecks, earthquakes, tsunamis, and women's rights issues, and discussed how their conditions in the field and relationships with their editors shaped their coverage of difficult assignments.

The Asia Pacific Fellowship meetings are held under "Chatham House Rules"—no reporting or quotation that could identify speakers is allowed. But at the end of first day, several Fellows reflected on what they'd taken away. 

Marlon Alexander Luistro, Philippines: Different cultures dictate different media ethics. For example, what is not permissible in Australia may be permissible in other countries. We talked about intruding on privacy in a moment of grief. In some countries they will not film the relatives of the deceased without permission. But in other countries that is routine.

Gil da Silva, Timor Leste: I realized that the empathy you feel for your sources may increase the danger of getting traumatized. Understanding trauma and its effects, however, will lead to good journalism.

Nasingon Mai, Papua New Guinea: Freelance journalists are more vulnerable than their colleagues on-board as employees. However, that source of vulnerability is also potentially a source of support.

Arun Karki, Nepal:  What I like most so far is the plan to put up a safety network, and the tips on how to prepare for coverage. I have also realized that it is not only about reporting and describing events, but also becoming more sensitive in dealing with traumatized persons.