By Catherine K C Jackson
MONROVIA, Oct. 22 (LINA) — The Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL) has secured access to professional training and media exchange programs in India for its members.
During a courtesy meeting on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at the Indian Embassy in Mamba Point, an association delegation led by FeJAL President Lisa T. Diasay met with Indian Ambassador Manoj Bihari Verma to discuss avenues for capacity building.
Ambassador Verma announced that India has allocated 140 training slots to Liberia for the 2026–2027 period under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program.
He invited qualified Liberian women journalists to compete for these positions.
Additionally, the Ambassador encouraged FeJAL members to apply for academic scholarships through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), framing both initiatives as pillars of India’s ongoing commitment to skill development in Liberia.
During the session, Diasay emphasized the urgent need for targeted capacity development to enhance the competitiveness and skills of female reporters.
She identified digital journalism, artificial intelligence, technology, newsroom leadership, and professional exchanges as the top training priorities for the association.
Diasay also advocated for decentralizing these opportunities, urging the embassy to engage directly with FeJAL’s network of county-based journalists.
She believes that by extending the partnership beyond Monrovia would allow rural reporters better access to information regarding India-backed projects in agriculture, health, and education.
According to her, this regional inclusion will strengthen independent development reporting, deepen public understanding of bilateral relations, and open new doors for female media professionals across the country.
Welcoming the proposal, Ambassador Verma pledged to share updates on embassy programs and development initiatives through FeJAL’s media network.
He further committed to considering the association for future institutional exchanges with Indian media houses.
Lastly, Diasay welcomed India’s continued investment in Liberia’s human development and reaffirmed FeJAL’s commitment to building partnerships that strengthen women’s participation, professional growth and leadership in the media.