‘Every woman journo should have a hip pocket skill’

It is important for every women journalist to have a hip pocket skill says New Delhi Television Limited (NDTV) sports editor Rica Roy.

“A hip pocket skill is a skill that you have in addition to your writing and speaking abilities,” Roy said.

Roy had facilitated the Women in News and Sports (WINS) workshop organised by Australia Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) at the Suva Business Centre this week.

Seventeen women from media organisations and national sporting bodies were part of the three-day workshop.

The workshop covered the importance of mobile storytelling and inclusive reporting specifically for women in Fiji.

“We learn a lot about shoot, produce and tell our story with mobile phones; at the end of the workshop women had their own stories and that is how they are going to be producing stories in the future,” she said.

“There was another important aspect which was talking about disabled on how to best report on them using the correct terminology.

“We should in fact make them part of the society and help them come to mainstream.”

Roy added that WINS will conduct

future workshops to cover other areas of interest in journalism.

“I think mobile journalism is an important element for news gathering that can be incorporated in your work.

“WINS will be conducting more workshops on commentary and investigative journalism,” she added.

Being a female sports editor was not an easy job for Roy who was been outnumbered by male workers.

“The challenges are many. From being asked if I know my offside field to anything. Every day I walk into the newsroom I have to be the best for the job - to be the best I prepare well.

“It’s 70 per cent preparation of the work we do and 30 per cent execution. I want to know everything and anything about what I’m doing. That empowers me to go into the newsroom or studio and do my best every day.

“I would really tell everyone that the biggest challenge when people ask you whether you are capable

of doing what you are doing can be overcome with the opportunity of knowing and empowering yourself with knowledge.”

The certificates of participation was distributed by Australian High Commission first secretary Melissa Tipping.

Participants of the WINS workshop at the Suva Business Centre on May 5, 2022. Front (from left): Adi Lewanavanua, Jacqueline Speight, Melinda Saga’itu and WINS trainer Rica Roy. Middle: (from left): Ema Levaci, Karalaini Tavi, Maylin Chang, Talei Matairakula, Australian High Commission’s first secretary Melissa Tipping, Penelope Pickering, Eleina McDonald, Akanisi Drasuna and Sofaia Koroitanoa. Back: Ruci Mafi, Venina Rakautoga, Paulini Ratulailai, Lavenia Yalovi and Sereana Salalo.