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Momodou
Denmark
11737 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Feb 2008 : 18:54:56
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WEEK LONG GPU TRAINING ENDS
JOURNALISTS EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS
By Amie Sanneh
A week long training workshop, organized by the Gambia Press Union (GPU) for journalists, ended on Thursday, at the GPU headquarters. At the end of the training, Foroyaa caught up with some of the trainees to enable them express their views on the training.
Mamadou Edrisa Njie
Reporter, News and Report Weekly Magazine
I feel very happy and excited about the training. The training has improved my writing skills. I learnt a lot during the short period on interviews, mind mapping, etc. I was in the Field Reporting Group and we have performed to expectation. The most interesting thing I learnt is mind mapping, which I have never learnt before. I have undergone many training sessions but I have never learnt such a thing.
I thank GPU for organizing such a training but I am also appealing for the training to take at least one or two months next time.
The knowledge gained by participants from the training should be disseminated to their colleagues.
As for those who are unfortunate to attend, they should be hard working because it’s through hard work and commitment they can be lucky to gain training like this.
Marie Cherry
Point Newspaper
I feel great to be given this privilege to attend such a training, which is really beneficial to journalists.
I was under the Online and Web Mastering Group. I learnt a lot but the most important thing I have learnt is how to up-load the internet and even edit on the internet. I also learnt a lot of ideas on Online Journalism. I have never attended such training. I would like to thank the GPU for conducting such training. I would like them to conduct more training, for it will enhance the capacities of journalists.
As for my colleagues, any where they are given the opportunity to be trained, they should make good use of it.
Baboucarr Ceesay
Journalist, Foroyaa Newspaper
The training is a very meaningful one because it has exposed us to another journalistic environment in the area of online journalism.
I was a participant in the Online Journalism and Web-Mastering group.
The most interesting part of the training were the photo editing, internet news writing, web editing,etc aspects.
The time frame is too short, the facilities we were enjoying were not adequate and I believe that, in future, enough time would be provided.
On the other hand, internet connectivity was also not normal during the time of the training, but I believe we can still make best use of the skills learnt.
However, GPU should be consolidated and work towards a more conducive environment for press freedom and expression to enable the eradication of the culture of impunity.
Those who were fortunate to attend the training should share the skills and knowledge with those who were not privileged to be part of the training.
Irmelin Viegas
Trainer from Denmark
I see it as very inspiring and I think it is a good way of training instead of just being a teacher. You get a better understanding when you are interacting as colleagues than as a teacher and student.
I think one week is a good beginning but it would have been nice to have more time. I think I have managed to drop a stone in the water and it will spread like rings. My advice is they should not become lazy but keep working with enthusiasm. I hope that they will keep the network and inspire others.
I hope the unfortunate ones will learn from those who have been trained or they may be lucky to be part of the other training sessions in future.
Birger Agergaard
Trainer from Denmark
I am very much impressed with the keen interest shown by the journalists. Their commitment indicates that the future is bright. There is nothing more impressive than working with committed and keen young professionals who are ready to sharpen their skills and acquire knowledge to better execute their jobs in a professional manner with high standards and best practices.
Madi M.K. Ceesay
GPU President
It is a success because it is the third mission since the project started. At the beginning of this course I was here and I heard what the trainer had for the journalists and I’m fortunate enough to come back and chat with few participants who said they have learnt new things that will have an impact on their job. As a result, I think it is a useful thing for the GPU and we will continue on this exercise. We have 13 more missions to come before the end of the project.
The time frame I admit is short because one week is not that enough, but as this is the first major program or project of GPU, a project that is to the tune of 1.2 million Dalasi that is not small money. We will learn from our mistakes and as the project is going on. GPU is working out other modalities for another project which will even be bigger than this. That project will really factor in the time frame because it is very short to get something qualitative for the participants. I will really want them to put the knowledge into practice because there is no point of acquiring skills without using them.
The more you don’t use them, the more you forget, so to be on top of issues, participants are advised to make best use of their skills and interact among themselves and network.
For those who are unfortunate I’m telling them to have patience. This is a project that is going to run for two years. I’m sure by the end of the two years all the journalists in the country will participate.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 17/2008, 8 – 10 February 2008
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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