| METHODOLOGY
These newsrooms also have slightly better resources than the smaller newsrooms. These resources include recording and editing equipment and software. A news story requires dedicated staff and time so with more journalists in a newsroom there can be wider coverage as opposed to a smaller newsroom where stories must be prioritized. For example, a report from parliament on the adoption of legislation would take precedence over a story about a victim of human trafficking. This was a sentiment expressed by a media manager. Lack of Training Of the twenty-one journalists interviewed, none of them received any formal guidance or specialized training on how to report on the themes. There was a lack of investigative reporting techniques and knowledge to uncover the significant facts to create powerful narratives. Based on the focus groups, feedback indicated that some newsrooms also have no editorial policy or guideline for reporting on TIP. Based on interviews with journalists, there is no sensitivity training towards the issues of TIP or youth involvement in crime and violence. This lack of understanding and knowledge stymies the potential for reporting on various perspectives which can have a positive impact on the public’s awareness of TIP. More impactful stories which better represent the facts can also influence policymakers and by extension more effective policy changes can be implemented. Resource Restrictions Based on media viability research 9 In addition to interviews done for this report, most of the countries have small newsrooms that are floundering under the economic pressure of a post-pandemic environment. Their ability to dedicate the time to telling the stories from more sensitive angles or to assign specific journalists to do so, is not achievable. This is why stories are regurgitations of press releases. Free and independent media are facing intense viability challenges. Six senior level media executives were interviewed and shared a similar opinion that where there is state-owned media, the trend is that reporting predominantly focuses on the presentation of government’s perspectives without questioning related policies, procedures or practices. State-owned media exists in all countries researched for this report. Lack of Data Data on the media and statistics on crime are not easily available or accessible in any of the countries. There is no open-source data. Where data is available from social services, or government agencies, getting approval to release this information can take months. The research team had that experience when compiling information for this report. This can be very off-putting for journalists as expressed by them while compiling this report and the delay in time means that the story elements may change and become outdated and redundant as some stories are time sensitive.
9 UNESCO Media Viability Indicators Research Study, 2022 by Media Institute of the Caribbean
10 A Media Analysis of the Coverage of Youth Involvement in Crime and Violence and Trafficking in Persons (June 2021 to June 2023) in the Eastern Caribbean
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