Nuruddeen M. Abdallah, Daily Trust |
The programme, entitled “Investigative Journalism & New Electronic
Media” is commenced on August 27 and will end on September 15, 2012.
Sixteen participants were selected from 15 African countries.
The invitation, signed by Bill
Strassberger, Cultural Affairs Officer in the U.S. Embassy in Abuja,
said the programme is a special initiative for young, up-and-coming
media professionals that will examine the rights and responsibilities of
a free press in a democracy.
Each year, leading journalists are
nominated for participation by the American embassies in their home
countries. The programme is sponsored by the US Embassy in Nigeria and
organised by the US Department of State in Washington DC.
“This programme will address the
practice of U.S. investigative journalism, ongoing debates about ethics,
accuracy, and journalistic integrity, and regulations governing access
to government information,” the invitation said.
The participants will discuss the status
of media as the fourth estate of the realm that checks and
counterbalances the powers of the executive, legislative and judicial
branches and will also explore the use of the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) and Sunshine Laws as tools to get information.
Participants will meet and exchange
information with U.S. journalists, media specialists, academics and
others to review examples of effective investigative reporting that
resulted in greater accountability and transparency in government.
The project will also examine the
influence of social media and digital technologies on how citizens use
and share information. In addition, it will address media’s role in
promoting an informed citizenry within a democracy as well as related
issues of journalistic freedom, ethics, responsibility, and standards.
Working in conjunction with leading US
journalism schools, the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs developed the specialised IVLP to engage young
international media professionals in dialogue with their US
counterparts.
The participants will undergo intensive
training, interact with veteran journalists and visit prominent media
organisations and journalism schools in Washington DC, New York, New
York; Phoenix, Arizona; Dallas, Texas and St. Louis, Missouri, among
others.
A secondary theme of the training will
focus on the cultural, social, and political diversity of life in the
United States, with home hospitality, sightseeing, and personal time
balancing the professional program.
In 2011, 5,291 international visitors
participated in 811 projects through IVLP in the United States. American
officials overseas select the visitors, who are current or potential
leaders in government, education, politics, the media and other fields.
Also, 53 current and 275 former Heads of State are IVLP alumni. - Written by - Sunday, 02 September 2012 05:00
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