by Naing Naing Aye

Bandar Seri Begawan, 24 October 2025: The Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), in collaboration with the UNESCO Jakarta Office and host Radio Television Brunei (RTB), successfully concluded the second high-impact regional training titled “Empowering Women Journalists in Crisis Reporting”. The three-day workshop, held at the Rizqun International Hotel, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, from 21 to 23 October 2025, was implemented under UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC).

Mr. Cheong Chee Keong, Acting Director of RTB, delivered the official opening address at the workshop. Joining virtually to give their opening and welcoming remarks were Ms. Philomena Gnanapragasam, AIBD Secretariat Director/CEO in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Ms. Yekthi Hesthi Murthi, Project Officer for the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The workshop brought together 20 women journalists and senior editors from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and Malaysia, representing public broadcasters, private media, and digital platforms. It built upon the first session held in Kuala Lumpur (5–8 August 2025), which included participants from Malaysia, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste, bringing the total reach of the initiative to 41 media professionals across Southeast Asia.
Focused on enhancing safety, ethical reporting, and psychological resilience, the Brunei workshop delivered hands-on sessions on gender-specific safety risks, trauma-informed journalism, crisis communication, and combating online harassment. Participants also reviewed and adapted draft safety and anti-sexual harassment protocols tailored for their newsrooms.
The training was facilitated by Mr. Dandy Koswaraputra, a veteran Indonesian journalist; Ms. Jackie Viemilawati, a clinical psychologist and mental wellness expert; and supported virtually by Mr. Nabeel Tirmazi, Senior Programme Manager at AIBD. Sessions blended theory with scenario-based discussions, peer exchanges, and practical planning—such as developing internal crisis response systems and newsroom safety audits.

Participant feedback demonstrated a high degree of satisfaction with the workshop’s focused content and delivery, with a majority reporting their expectations were “Mostly” or “Fully” met. A majority rated sessions on mental readiness, trauma-informed journalism, and crisis response planning as “Excellent” or “Good,” with mental health and stress management highlighted as the most valued topics.

AIBD will continue supporting participants through online mentoring, mental health resources, and preparing safety guidelines aimed at institutionalizing safer, more inclusive newsroom cultures across Southeast Asia. This initiative underscores a growing regional commitment to ensuring that women journalists are protected, prepared, and empowered before, during, and after crises.