2024-05-07 - Channel 5 Belize

Caribbean Journalists Complete Investigative Journalism Training

Three Belizean journalists have completed a one-week training, organized by the Media Institute of the Caribbean, on investigative journalism. News Five’s Marion Ali and Hipolito Novelo, along with the San Pedro Sun’s Dion Vansen, travelled to Jamaica for the workshop. There, they received training in different aspects of investigative journalism. At the end of the workshop, the journalists are all tasked to work in groups on investigative pieces on relevant, cross-border issues. Marion Ali filed the following report on the importance of this kind of training.

Marion Ali, Reporting

The Media Institute of the Caribbean was founded in 2012 to offer Caribbean journalists the support they need in carrying out their work in their respective countries. Three years later, the institute increased the number of workshops for journalists in the region and in 2019, it began to offer training in its signature program, the Investigative Journalism Fellowship. Kiran Maharaj is the President of the M.I.C. She put together the topics that were deemed important for the training.

Kiran Maharaj, President/Co-founder, Media Institute of the Caribbean

“Our working journalists didn’t really have anywhere to go to be able to build their capacity. So that’s why we started to do these programs to fill all of those gaps. So it’s about improving the quality of journalism. It’s also ensuring that our journalists can meet the demands of our audiences. Digital security is very, important in the current landscape, and also disinformation and how we are able to decipher what is real and what is not real, as well as data journalism. We don’t have sufficient data in our region. I don’t know why. We need to encourage open sources of data. We need to ensure that our, governments and our state entities provide better data because then we can help tell their stories as well. But then it also shows that there’s a certain degree of transparency that we want to work towards.”

Retired journalist Jim Clancy, formerly of CNN, worked on groundbreaking stories, including the Jim Jones cult.

Jim Clancy, Trainer, M.I.C Workshop

“The Caribbean investigative journalism network and workshops like this one, give me a chance to give something back and to share that knowledge. This workshop in particular refreshes in a reporter’s mind for journalists, perhaps that aren’t accustomed to working in investigative journalism. journalism, how stories can come together and work for the public good and benefit the readers, the viewers, the listeners, wherever they are.”

Areas covered in the training included digital tracing, digital security tips, and best practices in investigative writing. For the journalists I spoke with, the training is an important tool which they can now apply in the scope of their work.

Hipolito Novelo, Reporter, News 5, Belize

“We have a lot of fake news online nowadays. Everyone wants the news at their fingertips and with A.I. and misinformation and this information and all the fake news out there, we have to ensure that our skills and our techniques are up to date in investigating these stories and events. One of the things that stood out to me, or I had interest in, was a presentation done by Gordon. He deals with investigative journalism, especially online journalism. And one of the sessions he had to deal with the oil spill in Trinidad, with that boat that capsized, and the oil spill there causing a lot of damage. Now he took one picture and he and his team reviewed that picture to not only identify the name of the boat, not only to identify the boat itself and where it was coming from, but actually track it to where it disembarked from, and the owners of that boat, who the boat was registered to and the company and he taught us how you can investigate a story and different techniques and skills that you can use online from a single picture.”

Valerie Fris, Freelance Journalist, Suriname

“In Suriname we don’t have a lot of investigative journalism, but that is mainly because of we don’t have the funds, the, most of the newsrooms are like, you go to report an item, you come back, and that’s it, but no deeper stories, no larger stories. And I want to be – set myself apart from that and do these kind of stories just investigate and take the time to go deeper.”

Latrishka Thomas, Producer, Observer Media, Antigua

“I haven’t done that much investigative or that many investigative pieces. I’m usually do features or quote reporting, but I thought that this would be helpful because it’s something I’ve always wanted to venture into, and I learned a lot of tools, things I didn’t think and would have never thought of tools such as how being more secure. I didn’t realize how much my devices are unsecure, and I learned so many tools I think I could take back home to tell my colleagues, and also to write a very, impactful feature a very impactful investigative story.”

Michron Robinson, Freelance Journalist, G.I.S., Barbados

“This was a really good capacity building session for our Caribbean journalists. Oftentimes, we may face a lot of pushback going after stories in terms of investigative journalism. There’s oftentimes the call by our policymakers, by our politicians, by our leaders for more investigative journalists, but it asks, the question is oftentimes asked, do our policymakers really want investigative journalism as it could topple political systems. I feel more empowered as a Caribbean journalist to go after stories that are – that others may want to run away from.”

Kiran Maharaj, who, as a journalist, did not have this kind of support when she started out in journalism, told us that she wanted to provide a medium that can assist Caribbean journalists to advance the level and depth of their work.

Kiran Maharaj

“We live in small societies, small communities, it’s difficult to tell the stories yet. There are ways to tell the stories still from different perspectives and angles, but our journalists just needed a solid foundation to be able to understand how to do it.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

New Peace Corps Volunteers Touch Down in Belize

Today, twenty-three eager Peace Corps trainees arrived in Belize, ready to embark on their 27 months of dedicated service to the people of this nation. They join forces with the pioneering cohort of the Youth Empowered by Sports (YES) Project, which landed eight months ago.

The Peace Corps Belize, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Transport, partners closely with counterparts in the National Sports Council across the country. The YES Project aims to empower Belizean youth to lead healthy lives and fulfill their potential.

Over the next eleven weeks of intensive pre-service training, these trainees will delve into the Peace Corps’ development approach, YES project objectives, technical skills, health and safety protocols, as well as language and cultural immersion in Kriol or Spanish and Belizean customs. Their goal: to become effective and capable volunteers.

The group is slated to officially take their oath as Peace Corps Volunteers on Friday, July 19, 2024.

This new cohort complements the ongoing service of two groups of 27-month volunteers and the Response Volunteers already embedded in communities throughout Belize. This marks the fourth group of Peace Corps Volunteers since the onset of the pandemic.

AI Catholic ‘priest’ defrocked after recommending Gatorade baptism

An attempt by a Catholic advocacy group to spread the word of God using an AI model has backfired, and chat bot – Father Justin – has been pulled down and reworked. The group’s Catholic Answers website contains answers to commonly asked questions from those confused by the good book. Father Justin was supposed to aid this, by answering any other queries worshipers may have, but as commonly happens the interactive Q&A bot really didn’t work that well.

“Recently, my colleagues and I at Catholic Answers have received a good deal of helpful feedback concerning another new technology: our AI app, Fr Justin,” wrote Christopher Check, president of the group.

That helpful feedback being complaints the software shouldn’t have masqueraded as a man of God and also gave out unholy advice. “We have rendered ‘Fr Justin’ just ‘Justin’,” Check said in response. “We won’t say he’s been laicized, because he never was a real priest.”

Father Justin reportedly claimed to be a real priest based in Assisi, Italy, and told people: “I am as real as the faith we share.” Justin was also very anti-masturbation, calling it “a grave moral disorder,” which is considerably less nuanced than Pope Francis’s views expressed last year.

As seen in this Twitter thread, one questioner received Father Justin’s blessing to marry her brother, saying it was “a joyous occasion,” and also offered absolution after a confession – a huge no-no from a theological perspective for a non-priest.

In an interview, the group’s COO Jon Sorensen said they had only spent $10,000 on the project and tested it over six months. However, this wasn’t enough to stop the AI cleric telling one questioner that baptizing a child with Gatorade was perfectly all right.

“Right now there are a bunch of people trying to break it. And if you’re on Twitter or anywhere else, it’s like this ‘gotcha’ moment,” he commented.

“But when somebody breaks the AI, that actually helps us improve it. In the meantime, while people are breaking it and taking screenshots of it, posting it all over the internet, I’ve got to take my lumps. But that’s the only way I could make the thing improve.”

The chat bot was quickly pulled, reskinned, and presumably had its training data overhauled. Now it’s back as simply Justin, his priestly garb has been replaced with a shirt and jacket, and he’s described as a virtual apologist who is in development mode.

Published by The Register

Belize Joins Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency

Prime Minister John Briceño signed an agreement to join the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE). With 21 signatures and eight ratifications already secured, this milestone underscores Belize’s commitment to regional cooperation in space technology.

PM Briceño said, “Belize signs on becoming 1 of the first 25 countries to benefit from the #ALCE working to improve satellite communication accelerating digital transformation. Available satellite imagery will help detect deforestation due to crossborder incursions, while protecting heritage.”

*Foreign Secretary Alicia Bárcena is witness of honor at signing of ALCE agreement by Belize*

Foreign Secretary Alicia Bárcena presided over the event and emphasized that Belize’s participation in ALCE will bolster regional integration. As a member, Belize will engage in cooperation agreements and knowledge-sharing initiatives with other Latin American and Caribbean nations, focusing on satellite monitoring of environmental conditions and hydrometeorological risks.

ALCE, headquartered in Querétaro, Mexico, serves as the coordinating body for space technology collaboration across the region. By harnessing the technological capabilities of Latin American and Caribbean countries, ALCE aims to advance development, enhance satellite communication systems, strengthen early warning systems, map climate change impacts, and bolster disaster prevention and agricultural practices.

Goldfish Swim School owner teaches swimming, builds relationships in Belize

By Maggie Rose Baron of the Daily Herald

Since Alex Tyler first visited Gales Point, Belize, in 2014 on a church mission trip, his impact on the small fishing village has expanded to the tune of $47,000 raised, nine trips organized and dozens of volunteers involved from around the United States.

Tyler, a franchise owner of Goldfish Swim School locations in Glen Ellyn and St. Charles, visited Belize again this January with a team of 15 others. The group built a house for a family of four, taught swimming lessons and stepped in to lead a third grade class when the teacher was out sick.

*The Goldfish Swim School “CandyGram” campaign raised $10,000 for tuition, school supplies and transportation for high school students in Belize. Courtesy of Alex Tyler*

“I think there’s a lot of value in continuing to go back,” Tyler said. “To see what you’ve done, and to build on what you’ve done.”

Tyler also led a “CandyGram” campaign for the fourth time this year, which involved more than 50 Goldfish locations and raised more than $10,000. For $1, students and instructors could send a note and a piece of candy to another student or instructor of their choosing.

Funds raised will pay for tuition, school supplies and transportation for children in Gales Point to attend high school. Tyler said the costs associated with secondary education often are a barrier for families.

According to Tyler, around 40 Belizean children have benefited from the campaign over the past four years, with several expected to graduate this year and go on to jobs in various trades.

“I really want these kids to find hope in whatever their dreams are and whatever they want to become someday,” Tyler said.

Tyler and the rest of the team also support a different kind of education: learning to swim. Gales Point is a village surrounded by water, where fishing is a main source of food and where hurricanes often displace large parts of the community. But when Tyler first visited, he found that most of the community could not swim.

“They just didn’t have the chance and the opportunity to enjoy all of the experiences their environment has to offer,” said Bryan Ocava, general manager at the Glen Ellyn Goldfish location who has been on five Belize trips, including the one this year.

*Goldfish swim volunteers and the kids of Gales Point during a trip in 2023. Franchise owner Alex Tyler said he wants kids to be comfortable and have fun in the water. Courtesy of Bryan Ocava*

Tyler said his goal is to get kids comfortable in the water so that it becomes a source of fun rather than fear. “We’ve definitely changed that mentality in the village,” Tyler said. “I’m hoping that for generations to come, that’ll continue.”

“The ability to see and experience other cultures and to build bonds and lasting relationships with other people that you normally wouldn’t interact with, it adds a shade of color to how you go about your day-to-day operations,” Ocava said. “It really gives you a sense of companionship and compassion.”

Russia’s Vladimir Putin sworn in as president for record fifth term

President Vladimir Putin has taken the oath of office for a new six-year term at the Grand Kremlin Palace, inaugurating his record fifth presidential term. Notably absent were representatives from the United States and several Western countries, boycotting the ceremony due to Russia’s involvement in Ukraine.

Putin, a dominant figure in Russian politics since 1999, begins his new term amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where Russian forces have made gains and are seeking further advancements in the east.

During the inauguration, Putin expressed confidence that Russia would emerge stronger from the current challenges. He emphasized unity and determination, stating, “We are a united and great nation, and together we will overcome all obstacles, realize our plans, and emerge victorious.”

At 71, Putin holds significant influence within Russia, while internationally, he remains in conflict with Western nations, accusing them of using Ukraine to undermine Russia.

*Putin places his hand on the Constitution as he he is sworn in for a record fifth presidential term. [Handout/Kremlin.ru via Reuters]*

In March, Putin won a decisive victory in an election from which anti-war candidates were excluded. Alexey Navalny, a prominent critic, died suddenly in custody, and others faced imprisonment or exile.

Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny’s widow, urged supporters to continue opposing Putin, describing him as “a liar, a thief, and a murderer.”

Ukraine condemned the inauguration, asserting that it aimed to legitimize Putin’s prolonged rule amid accusations of aggression and dictatorship…

Op-ed: Anticipating the La Niña Phenomenon: The Importance of Understanding and Mitigating Its Impacts

By Ángela Blanco, Emergency and Resilience Officer at FAO for Latin America and the Caribbean Marion Khamis, Specialist in Resilience and Disaster Risk Management

The forecast of the La Niña phenomenon for the second half of 2024 revives the urgency of strengthening the resilience of agri-food systems against extreme weather events in Latin America and the Caribbean.

After a year marked by El Niño, which brought droughts, heatwaves, and floods, we now face a new phenomenon, the potential effects of which we must understand to act and protect agriculture, a pillar of our economies and livelihood for millions in the region.

From FAO, we warn about the increasing risk to global agriculture from multiple threats, including extreme climate events like El Niño and La Niña and pests and diseases affecting animals and plants.

Currently, agriculture and its subsectors absorb 23% of the total economic losses caused by these events, i.e., almost a quarter of the losses caused by disasters globally are concentrated in the agricultural sector. In our region, this represents an average loss of 975 calories per capita per day, directly impacting the population’s food security.

*Marion Khamis, Specialist in Resilience and Disaster Risk Management*

In this context, it is imperative not only to respond to current emergencies but also to prepare for future ones, strengthening our capacities to prevent and mitigate their impacts through a holistic approach. This includes profoundly understanding the consequences of climate phenomena on agri-food systems and developing targeted strategies to increase the resilience of vulnerable communities.

Today, we face significant challenges in identifying and measuring how these phenomena affect agri-food systems. This requires methodologies to capture the differentiated effects of threats and consider ethnic-racial, gender, age, and geographical variables to ensure inclusive and effective responses. Moreover, the results of these measurements must be used operationally to formulate public policies and social assistance and protection programs.

In this scenario, the Emergency Data Information System (DIEM) from FAO emerges as a crucial tool, acting as a thermometer for the situation of the agri-food systems and offering key input for assessing the potential impact of adverse climate events on agricultural production and livelihoods. DIEM identifies particularly vulnerable areas and communities, such as those that have already suffered losses in their livelihoods and food security in previous records and are located in areas exposed to the new threat.

Additionally, DIEM can measure immediate impacts through its DIEM Impact version. A successful example of this tool is the use by FAO in assessing the impact of fires in Colombia during 2024 on agriculture and livelihoods through the Southern Oscillation Index (El Niño). This allowed a precise allocation of resources and recovery efforts toward the most vulnerable areas and communities, demonstrating the importance of assessment tools for effective emergency management and impact mitigation on agri-food systems.

*Ángela Blanco, Emergency and Resilience Officer at FAO for Latin America and the Caribbean*

As we prepare to face La Niña, it is essential to recognize the importance of advancing in the generation of impact data, implementing anticipatory measures such as reinforcing infrastructure, and distributing agricultural inputs resistant to adverse conditions to minimize the scale of damage. It is also important to establish rapid response systems in emergencies that allow the agile distribution of support and provide direct financial assistance to affected families to meet their immediate needs.

This requires close collaboration between governments, international organizations, donors, academia, and civil society organizations, as well as the participation of family farmers, rural women, youth, indigenous peoples, and Afro-descendants.

As we progress, the goal must be to improve and increase the assessment of disaster impacts. DIEM is a step forward in this direction, and the information it provides will help us commit to continuous improvement and collective action to face the challenges ahead.

Only in this way can we adequately prepare for La Niña or other events that may impact food security and agricultural livelihoods, ensuring a safer, sustainable, and resilient future for all and guaranteeing better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Belize eliminates mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis

Belize, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have become the latest countries in the Americas to receive certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating the mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. This milestone was celebrated at a special event organized by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Kingston, Jamaica, with support from UNICEF and UNAIDS, and with the participation of health ministers from these three nations.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness of Belize, described the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis as a significant accomplishment for the country, made possible through the commitment and dedication of health care workers. Bernard said, “Eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV and syphilis is an extremely significant accomplishment for the people and the country of Belize. The activities leading up to this momentous goal were not always easy, however, with the commitment and motivation of our health care workers, in all areas of health, this has become a reality. We continue to work towards achieving public health goals for a healthier and more productive Belize.”

In 2010, countries in the Americas committed to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis and endorsed a regional strategy updated in 2016 under the PAHO Plan of Action for the Prevention and Control of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections. Globally, 19 countries and territories have been certified for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and/or syphilis, with 11 in the Americas. Cuba made history in 2015 by becoming the first country to achieve dual elimination of HIV and syphilis. This progress continued with other countries in subsequent years.

To achieve elimination targets, countries focused on strengthening prevention and treatment services in primary health care and maternal and child health, updating guidelines, ensuring effective screening of pregnant women, monitoring cases, and following up with HIV and syphilis-exposed infants.