[Kcc-News] OSCE: 730 Kosovo journalists trained by the OSCE (Press-Release, 19 December 2000) (fwd)

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http://www.osce.org/news/generate.php3?news_id=1383

Press Release
19 December 2000

730 Kosovo journalists trained by the OSCE

PRISTINA, 19 December 2000 -- In partnership with local media, the OSCE
Mission in Kosovo has provided training to 730 Kosovo broadcast and
print journalists over the past year.
    The training has targeted specific professional needs of journalists
and producers, such as writing news stories and features, interviewing
techniques, ethics, internet research, news and documentary production,
news programme production and on-air presentation. For those who already
had a foundation of solid journalism, skills have been built upon by
providing advanced training in investigative reporting and developing a
story in-depth. Special emphasis was placed on training in all aspects
of fair and open media coverage of election campaigns. Training
programmes for management and marketing personnel have also been
organized.
    The OSCE team of professional journalist trainers co-ordinated the
efforts of international donors as well as provided direct training. Of
the 36 training sessions held during 2000, the OSCE co-operated with
UNDP, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and Reseau
Liberte (Canada), the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF), Ordine
dei Giornalisti and the Luiss School of Journalism (Italy), Gimlekollen
School of Journalism & Communications (Norway), and the International
Federation of Journalists (IFJ). Financial support was also received
from the governments of Norway, Italy, Austria, and Canada.
    Training programmes for 2001 are being developed as the need for
qualified staff remains. These training programmes will focus on
journalistic practices, media marketing and management techniques and
technical skills to familiarize Kosovo media with Western journalistic
and management practices and with the newer media technologies.
    The OSCE Mission's Department of Media Affairs is mandated to
promote, facilitate and assist the development of a free, fair and
pluralistic media in Kosovo. The overall goal has been to provide Kosovo
with the foundations for a self-sustaining and independent media, an
essential component of a democratic society.
    As part of its institution-building mandate, the OSCE is working to
ensure that people of Kosovo can rely on media for unbiased, impartial
and accurate information, which is essential in democratic society.

For further information, contact the OSCE Mission in Kosovo Press
Office, tel.: (+381-38) 500-162 or satphone: 871-762-009-948, ext. 260
e-mail: press at omik.org or website: http://www.osce.org/kosovo