Themes - Training Southern Africa is comprised of relatively young democracies and post-conflict environments, where independent media and journalists are still striving to determine their role in society. Media ethics and journalism standards are generally low. Fortunately, journalism training is available in most countries in the region in various subjects and at different levels.
The Training unit of the Media Programme strives to improve the quality and professionalism of independent media in the region and ultimately the sustainability of media. The unit supports media training programmes that include journalism and entrepreneurial skills development. The unit also supports the improvement of the quality of training being offered by its partner organizations.
Example: Newswire service of Polytechnic of Namibia
Students at the Department of Media Technology
The Polytechnic of Namibia (PON) is an important NiZA partner not just because of the journalism training it provides to up and coming Namibian journalists but because of its interest in promoting media in Namibia’s most disadvantaged areas.
With NiZA’s support, PON provides training and other capacity building services to the Southern Sun, a community newspaper based in Keetmanshoop. During the run-up to the elections, it established a news wire service to improve the quality of election coverage throughout the country as well as to provide practical training to its journalism students. As many media are limiting their scope to urban areas, the news agency focuses on reporting in remote rural areas.
