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UG to effect changes in journalists’ training

Aug 14, 2008 News

The Centre for Communications Studies of the University of Guyana, in collaboration with the United Nations Education Social and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) yesterday wrapped up its two-day national consultation on a ‘UNESCO Model Curricula for Journalism Education’.
The conference, facilitated by Guyana-born, Dr. Vibert Cambridge, Professor, School of Media Arts and Studies, Scripps College of Communications, Ohio University, USA and Special Consultant to UNESCO, drew participants from a broad cross-section of the local media and communications network and lecturers in the field from UG.
 The deliberations at the forum focused mainly on recommendations for detailed curricula in the teaching of journalism in member states of UNESCO. These recommendations were put forward by the body and adopted at the first World Congress of Journalism Educators held in Singapore in June, 2007.
In a brief background to the project, Dr. Paloma Mohamed, Coordinator, Centre for Communication Studies at UG, said that the final document was arrived at, after worldwide consultations were held with the participation of international experts. She explained that Guyana was prepared to adapt to certain aspects of the proposed formula and reform its own curricula presently in place at UG .International aid has already been sourced from the United States Agency for International Development for the execution of this project.
According to Dr. Cambridge, the main ingredients of the new format for journalism education is based on a balance of practical instruction and theory and is aimed at preparing and arming the student with the basic tools to carry out journalistic research, informing the public, scrutinizing the way power is exercised, and stimulating democratic debate as well as other aspects the profession will demand.
 “Journalism education is normally organized around three curricular axes or lines of development,” explained the co-ordinating Professor.

“These are: an axis comprising the norms, values, tools, standards, and practises of journalism, an axis emphasizing the social, cultural, political, economic, legal and ethical aspects of journalism practice both within and outside the national borders and an axis compromising knowledge of the world and journalism’s intellectual challenges.” The recommended document, he said, satisfies the requirements to achieve the implementation of all the axes. 
Although it was generally agreed by the members of the floor that the document was a good one, some participants were of the view that in accepting this curricula guide, Guyana needs to take into consideration the specifics of its own internal situation and make the necessary changes to suit its own needs as it concerns educating the nation’s media practitioners.
Whilst it was generally assented to, that journalists in the course of their work should be responsible and fair, working in the best interest of the general public, some delegates maintained that in regards to relationships with government the idea of responsibility should be a two-way affair. The government, they said, should also take responsibility for their actions in dealing with different issues.
In brief remarks to end the discussions, Professor Cambridge gave notice that the outcome of the proceedings will be recorded and forwarded to UNESCO and other bodies that have responsibility for the specific area of training.  

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