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| GPU J-School alumni Adam Jobe, flanked by colleagues Mary Gomez and Zainab Faal, is a winner of the 2015 Technology and Innovation Reporting Award (Photo Credit: M.S.Joof/TNBES/2013) |
Gambia’s new information minister said
he hopes that the GPU School of Journalism will offer training programmes that
will make journalists contribute meaningfully to ongoing national
reconciliation and the rebuilding the nation.
“This new government has given firmed
commitments to uphold freedom of the press and freedom of expression which of
course must be guided by the tenets of good journalism and ethical
considerations,” Demba Ali Jawo said on Friday when he presided over the
validation of an adjusted curriculum of the school.
“And that is where the need for a well
trained media corps comes in,” he said at a local hotel in Kololi in his first
official engagement as minister.
The existing curriculum of the school has
been improved to bring it in line with the standards set out in the UNESCO
model curriculum for journalism studies in Africa.
He promises his ministry's "continuous support"
to efforts aimed at capacity building for journalists in the country.
Sang Mendy, coordinator of the GPU
School of Journalism, said the previous curriculum offers training in advance
journalism only, while the improved version covers certificate, diploma and
advanced diploma courses.
“A curriculum review committee was set
up to review the distribution and as well add development issues such as human
rights, gender, HIV/AIDS, environment, and sustainable development,” he said.
Sasha Rubel, a UNESCO communications specialist
in Dakar, said the validation of the curriculum is part of the journalism and
media component of a wider governance programme in The Gambia financed by the
EU and implemented by UNESCO.
She said quality journalism enables
citizens to make informed decisions about their society and their contribution
to development. It also works to expose injustice, corruption and the abuse of
power.
She said: “But in order to do so, tools
(both intellectual and material) are necessary beyond the powerful pen, pencil
and paper.
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He promises his ministry's support
to efforts aimed at capacity building for journalists (Photo Credit: Haddija Jawara/FPI/Feb 2017)
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“…and that this retreat will be another
step in the long history of GPU’s work to promote the technical tools for media
professionals in The Gambia to ensure that media contributes to a landscape of
sustainable development and prosperity.”
Ms. Rubel said UNESCO would continue to
accompanying the GPU to promote trainers on an international level. She said
they hope that the GPU will be a model of excellence in journalism on a global
level.
Saikou Jammeh, GPU’s secretary general,
said the School of Journalism has registered some tremendous achievements over
the years.
“Look at all those who are doing very
well in the media today, they have all in one way or the other pass through the
school,” he said.
He said in the improved curriculum, GPU’s
short term courses will be offered under the school so that they become more
structured.
The curriculum is aligned to the UNESCO
journalism series and to that of the University of The Gambia.
Several players, including editors,
media sector regulators, media policymakers, and journalism consultants, took
part in the validation of the curriculum for journalism studies offered by the
GPU School of Journalism.
Written by Modou S. Joof
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