Journalists to get election training

JAKARTA: In a bid to ensure accountable media coverage in the 2004 elections, a press institute is planning to launch an education program for senior journalists from the electronic and print media from March 10 through March 14.

Dr. Soetomo Journalism Training Institute said that the training was aimed at boosting the participation of the media in monitoring the coming elections.

"This campaign is the contribution from the press to uphold a free and fair election," said the head of Dr. Soetomo Journalism Training Institute, Tribuana Said, adding that the 2004 elections were crucial in charting the future of the country.

The training, which will be held in Purwakarta, West Java, will concentrate on details of the election process, including election campaigning and vote counting.

The program will also train journalists to detect possible violations of the election rules and corruption and bribery methods in the elections.

Participants for the training seminar need to be nominated by their respective press associations. --JP