BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Feb. 13, 2020–Belizean-American Kendis Gibson, news anchor at MSNBC, a prominent news network in the United States, hosted a short workshop with the media yesterday at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza, in collaboration with the Belize Tourism Board.

The workshop’s purpose was to sensitize the media on how the news on crime impacts the tourism industry, bearing in mind that tourism is one of the greatest money-earners for the country. Gibson said that negative news has ramifications, and that the media must always be mindful of these ramifications, and consider carefully how news stories are presented, and the tone of these stories.

Gibson said that when something happens in Belize, the American news sources look to local journalists for the news, and sometimes, it is negative. One of his priorities now is to portray Belize positively, and he is urging the media to also do so.

He wants journalists not to present the news in a manner which would show the country in a bad light, because news stories ultimately get international exposure.

Gibson is aware that social media spreads false news, and said the media must be accurate in the content of their stories, and reporting of crimes against tourists should be done cautiously to ensure that the negative effect is minimal.

Misty Michael, Director of Marketing and Industry Relations at the Belize Tourism Board, said that when incidents occur which could impact the industry, it should be reported, but its tone and presentation should be such that it does not harm the industry, and by extension, the country’s bottom line.

Gibson agreed and said that we journalists must always be aware of the big picture and the impact our reporting has on the country.

Feature photo: Kendis Gibson addressing media