African Information Society Initiative (AISI) e-strategies

:: AISI Workshop on Media Training Module for Editors and Journalists

AISI Workshop on Media Training Module for Editors and Journalists to be held in Maputo, Mozambique from 17 to 20 December 2003

ECA in collaboration with Communication Assistance Foundation of Netherlands is developing ICT training module based on AISI for editors and journalists . The objectives of this training modules are :

  • Build media capacity for reporting and specializing on a new and dynamic area;
  • Strengthen media skills and knowledge base of practicing journalists, assisting in creating awareness
  • Enhance the media’s ability to fully utilise and optimise the innovative use of ICTs
  • Contribute to the overall goal of media development in Africa, and in an area that is least covered

The contents of the module will include the following aspects:

  • News analysis and reporting, feature writing for both print and electronic journalists. With examples of what goes into stories on the information society with respect to policies and regulations as opposed to applications (such as e-commerce or telemedicine) and usage (Internet vrs radio for instance) of technology in a development context.

The module will also be developed in consultation with regional training institutions such as the Nordic-SADC Journalism Centre, the Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA), the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism (IAJ), the East African Media Institute (EAMI) and the West African Journalists Association (WAJA).

It is expected that these institutions and some trainers from Southern and West Africa, will review and critique the modules. The review workshop will enable the finalisation of the module. It will provide the opportunity for the module to be tried out with the trainers where the trainers will be given the tenets for training journalists on ICT issues in Africa.

The following outcomes are expected as a result of the TOT workshop:

  • Production of an ICT Training Module, the first of its kind in Africa that can provide guidance to training institutions and all those involved in media training in both English and French
  • Develop a crop of trainers with newly acquired skills and knowledge that would go back to their respective institutions and develop training programmes for journalists in their regions on ICT for development
  • It is expected that training institutions will use the module to develop their own training programmes. Where necessary ECA will assist with fund-raising for the institutions.

Contact Info:

Thierry H. Amoussougbo
Regional Adviser, ICT Initiatives
DISD/UNECA

Email: tamoussougbo@uneca.org