WESTERN INDIAN OCEAN REGION JOURNALISTS VOW TO GIVE PRIORITY TO MARINE ENVIRONMENT
By Charles Ogallo. Sixteen prominent journalists from Kenya, the Seychelles and Tanzania converged in Zanzibar , Tanzania a month ago for an Environmental Journalism Course –focusing Coast Management, and declared to give marine environment issues a priority in coverage. The Conference sponsored by Fojo (The Institute for Further Education of Journalists) of Sweden, in cooperation with WIOMSA (Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association) took place from 3rd to 14th November, 2008 at Mazsons Hotel in Stone Town, Zanzibar . "Now that we have learnt of dangers of ignoring issues to do with Coastal and marine environment, as journalists within the Western Indian Ocean region , we have no option but to focus more of our attention to Marine environment and let our audience /public understand their responsilities in ensuring this important ecosystem is protected". one participant emphasized. Though many argued that politics have taken over environment when it comes to media co