Tshopo: More than 20 journalists trained on essential family practices in Kisangani

Kisangani, July 3^rd, 2025 (CPA) – More than 20 journalists have been trained on Thursday in Kisangani, during a three-day session on essential family practices (EFP) in the province of Tshopo, in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the support of UNICEF.  ‘The main objective of this training was to equip journalists with the concepts of community awareness around ECPs, in a context marked by the resurgence of epidemics in Tshopo Province,’ has said Patrick Mpiana, head of the Office of Youth and New Citizenship Initiation. ‘The participants have thus benefited not only from strengthening their mass communication skills related to public health, but also from learning about journalistic ethics and professional conduct,’ he has added. The expert Alexis Balingi, who has spoken during the training, has highlighted the distinction between ethics and professional conduct: ‘Ethics is a personal moral value, while professional conduct constitutes the rights and duties of journalists. Mastering these two concepts enables journalists to avoid disinformation and misinformation, while delivering accurate, neutral and impartial information.’ At the end of the training, the journalists have expressed their readiness to play their role as reliable sources of information within their communities. ‘Through this training, journalists will now be able to raise awareness among the population about essential family practices and become a reliable channel for transmitting accurate information,’ has declared Patrick Mpiana. This session brought together media professionals from the city of Kisangani and the territories of Isangi, Ubundu, Bafwasende and Basoko.