Maputo — A group of Mozambican journalists defended on Wednesday the need for media representatives to sit on the Disasters Management Technical Council (CTGC), a multi-sector body charged with the task of monitoring activities towards the mitigation of disasters. A number of journalists from various public and private media were taking part in a two day workshop on the theme: "The role of the media in risk reduction awareness".

They proposed that the media work out a plan for the coverage of eventual disasters, taking into account the Emergency Plan of the country's relief agency, the National Disasters Management Institute.

The media professionals also defended the need to create a journalists' forum on disaster management and for the promotion of training in the management and mitigation of disasters. As for drawing up a media Contingency Plan, the participants appointed on Wednesday Ezequiel Mavota, of Radio Mozambique, representing the public media, and Salomao Manhique, representing the INGC, to the new body charged with this task.

A third member, to represent the private media companies, is yet to be appointed.

Reacting to the journalists' proposals, INGC national director Silvano Langa welcomed them, and encouraged the reporters to do their best to make these proposals a reality, because "the media should have a role in disaster management, and not just as mere publishers of information".

He urged the journalists to have completed by January a plan for the media, taking into account that the country is in a period prone to natural disasters (cyclones and floods), that should last until April.