Google Tools for Journalists – Trainers’ Workshop
Journalists at Google Tools Workshop
Well-equipped trainers ready to take Google Tools knowledge back to their newsrooms.

Google Tools for Journalists – Trainers’ Workshop

03rd & 10th November | Hilton Colombo

The Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI), in collaboration with Google, kicked off a specialized Google Tools Training Program for Journalists, marking an important step in strengthening digital journalism skills across Sri Lanka.

This initiative brings together a select group of 15 journalists from both newsrooms and the freelance community, representing print, electronic, and digital media platforms. The group was chosen to form a Google Trainers Pool—a core network of journalists who will later carry this knowledge back to their respective newsrooms, institutions, and media communities.

The training is structured across multiple sessions, balancing hands-on technical learning with collaborative planning, case-study discussions, and practical newsroom applications.

Building Practical, Localized Knowledge

One key component of the program is the development of local case studies. The trainers are currently working on gathering real examples from Sri Lankan journalism practice—ensuring the training content speaks directly to local storytelling, verification challenges, newsroom workflows, and digital reporting needs.

This approach ensures the training is context-driven, relatable, and applicable in day-to-day newsroom work.

Learning with Energy and Collaboration

The sessions began with icebreaking activities, setting a collaborative tone and fostering conversation among participants. The atmosphere encouraged peer interaction, shared reflections, and the exchange of experiences between journalists from different media sectors. This created a strong foundation for deeper learning throughout the sessions.

A Hands-On Experience

Journalists in discussion
Insightful discussions → purposeful planning. Every session is crafted to be hands-on and newsroom-focused.
Journalist working on a laptop
Research & preparation mode.
Journalists collaborating
Collecting local case studies to make learning practical and relatable.
Google expert trainer instructing
Learning A–Z from a Google expert trainer. Real skills. Real tools. Real newsroom impact.
Journalist giving a video testimonial
Lights, camera, stories 🎥 Recording testimonials to spread the word and inspire others.

Guided by a Google Expert Trainer

Throughout the workshop, participants received instruction from a Google expert trainer, covering the full spectrum of tools—practical workflows for research, data sourcing, fact verification, trend monitoring, and digital content optimization. The hands-on approach ensured that participants learned A–Z of digital discovery and verification, using tools that are already shaping global journalism standards.

Spreading the Knowledge Further

To capture and share the experience, the team also produced video testimonials from participating trainers. These stories will help inspire more journalists and media organizations to explore the power of Google tools in impactful storytelling.

Interested in Bringing This Training to Your Newsroom?

If your newsroom or media team would like to receive Google Tools for Journalism training:

  • 📩 Send us a message – innovations@slpi.lk
  • 📞 Contact SLPI – +94 011 5 353 635
  • 🌐 Visit: www.slpi.lk

This is only the beginning. The newly formed Trainers Pool will soon begin facilitating newsroom workshops across the country, making digital journalism skills more accessible and sustainable.

Strengthening journalism. Expanding digital capacity. Building informed news ecosystems.