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Press ReleaseSharing Expertise between African Countries“When journalists have the opportunity to see other countries, other cultures – and to place that in the context of the media — the effect is profound.” – Internews Africa Regional Manager Deborah Ensor
(November 9, 2009) Internews Network has moved to increase the skills and expertise of journalists in Sub-Saharan Africa through the introduction of county-to-country exchange visits for local journalism trainers. A series of activities to share knowledge and experience between Internews’ media capacity-building projects in Kenya and Ethiopia has just been completed. Both countries are part of Internews’ “Local Voices” program to train and support media professionals to improve their reporting and programming on issues related to HIV/ AIDS. “The exchange with our sister project in Kenya enabled us to offer training in areas where we do not have internal capacity, “ said Internews Ethiopia Country Director Sonya De Masi. “The trainers brought skills, experience and enthusiasm for teaching online and television, two severely underdeveloped fields in Ethiopia.” Kenyan journalism trainers Dolphine Emali and Ernest Waititu travelled to Ethiopia not only to teach the technical aspects of television and online journalism, but also to share with trainees the experiences and challenges faced by their counterparts in a neighboring state. The Ethiopian Radio and Television Agencyhad made a specific request for assistance with web-based news and, thanks to this exchange program, their staff were equipped with new skills to improve their online writing and presentation. In the second part of the exchange program, Ethiopian trainer Ephrem Wallelegn worked with the Kenyan training team to deliver an HIV/AIDS reporting workshop in the western city of Kisumu. Internews Kenya’s Ann Mikia said, “It was a learning opportunity for trainers from both countries as they exchanged experiences. Ephrem praised the diversity and competitiveness of journalism in Kenya which he believes can be an example for Ethiopia.” Internews Regional Manager for Africa Programs, Deborah Ensor explained the value of this international approach. “One of the greatest ways to build the capacity of journalists is to expose them to the greater picture; to help them connect to a larger professional world and an international set of standards. Often times, journalists in developing countries can barely even access communities that are just a few hours away. The result can be a rather limited view of the world, which may translate into narrow reporting. When journalists have the opportunity to see other countries, other cultures — and to place that in the context of the media — the effect is profound.” Internews’ health journalism projects in Kenya and Ethiopia are supported by grants from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). |
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