Sponsored by H.E Eng. Mohsin Al Shaikh
Muscat Municipality organizes a program on media handling skills (Spokesperson)
Muscat Municipality organized a training programme on media handling skills (spokesperson) under the patronage of His Excellency Engineer Mohsin bin Mohammed Al Sheikh, Chairman of Muscat municipality, in collaboration with the Al Jazeera Media Centre for training and Development presented by Mohammad Krishan in Nadi Al-Wahat in Muscat-during 10-11 December.
That program was intended to promote understanding of the importance public information in light of the recent challenges of identifying professional foundations and norms to deal with its various means, in addition to giving participants skills to speak in various mass media. It also aims to publicize the basics of interviews and the types of skills required to deal professionally with the media and communication devices, and to employ physical skills and practical and scientific experience in building a good communication relationship with the community, which is intended to serve the objectives of any institution that is keen to form a partnership with the community in delivering Its mission.
On the other hand, the program has included a number of aspects, the most important of which was the review of the various types of press events that coincided with the spokesperson and the most prominent features required in answering questions from media professionals, the program also included a practical application and applied exercises in sitting in front of the camera and in front of the broadcaster, In addition to practical training on the press conference (its characteristics and readiness), the program concluded with an open discussion session on the main challenges facing the local media spokesperson.
Dr. Suhail Bin Salim Al Shanfarri, director of the Department of Information and awareness in Muscat municipality, addressed the role and importance of the media in human societies, in a world marked by major transformations in the field of information and communication, and noted that the media had become an unenviable site, given the evolution of its means and techniques, which must be neutral, realistic and rapid in the transmission of news, facts and information.
He added that media techniques and different media were no longer exclusive to media professionals, but had become a good opportunity to develop the performance of specialized media in different institutions, which calls for the development of the skills of the media professionals in those institutions, in order to help create an interactive communication environment for communicating with the community, promoting trust and credibility between institutions and their external constituencies, thereby improving the image of institutions in the community.
The biggest issue facing the service provider is how to communicate positively and effectively with the various media, said media trainer Mohammad Krishan. It usually requires openness with the public to provide honest and studied information about the main program and projects implemented by the entity represented.
This requires an official`s special skills in dealing with the television camera and the press, which include two important aspects, namely, the provision the most appropriate content that meets the needs of the public is the knowledge and activation of the body language and is ideally used to clarify the meaning and convey the message to the fullest.
He also added that through this program we seek to equip managerial competencies with the necessary skills that combine professional and functional scientific competence participants have the competence to communicate with the media, noting the importance of the Service Providers initiative by appointing an official spokesperson for the Foundation, which is a step Positive in the right track so that media providers have a basic reference in obtaining information and data about the organization directly and necessary sometimes to refute the rumors raised about a subject, clarify the candid position of the institution, explaining that the official spokes-person`s qualities should be a community figure Open, sophisticated and flexible in handling, so that it builds bridges of communication with the media, which is reflected in the strengthening of the Organization`s mental image in the public.
It is noteworthy that this program was organized by Muscat municipality as it seeks to build a professional and professionalism relationship with the mass media through the delivery of voice and the image and mission of the municipal action of society through various media outlets, which are the most important window in the relationship of institutions to society And the masses in general.