* Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
The Reuters Elections Reporting Course was a great experience. In a time when Egypt is embarking on a new transitional political period, taking a course that teaches a reporter how to act as a mediator between the government and the public is especially useful. This course basically offers a comprehensive illustration of how a reporter can provide the public with all the necessary information needed for the elections, using accurate and impartial accounts of the process.
The reporter taking the course learns how to write accurate accounts quickly, clearly and with style. It teaches one how to select the relevant information and the credible and relevant sources while staying away from any possible legal accountability that may come as a result. In a time of great political sensitivity in Egypt, it was very useful to know all the legal hazards a reporter may face, as well as the political conflicts that s/he might be dragged into without prior intention while working on the elections.
Furthermore, the course offers methods on how to select the right wording and sources to remain impartial. It also alerts the reporter to keep an eye on news sources that may lie outside mainstream media circles and connections. The trainers responded really well to the needs of the attendees and accordingly offered information that sometimes fell beyond the scope of the course, but was useful in context. This course was incredibly useful for developing accurate reporting skills and preparing for all the possible risks and scenarios that covering the elections may entail.
Salma Shukrallah is a reporter for the Al Ahram English website.
