St. George’s, November 30, 2010 – A group of practicing and would-be journalists has been encouraged to make full use of training opportunities that are being afforded them.
Senator Arley Gill has urged them to make the most of the training sponsored by the Media Workers Association of Grenada (MWAG) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
The two-week training in writing for print, including the internet, began November 29 at the National Stadium.
It is the second in a UNESCO/MWAG series. The first focused on news and programming production for radio and television.
“I bring you special greetings from my minister, Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, whose commitment to freedom of the press and the ability of journalists to work without hindrance is well known,’’ Sen. Gill said at opening of Monday’s print journalism workshop.
“Our Ministry and department have looked, with particular admiration, on the work of the Media Workers Association of Grenada in ensuring that the local practitioners are better equipped to serve their readers, listeners and viewers.’’
Sen. Gill, the Minister of State with responsibility for Information and Culture, said while participants would not “automatically’’ become writers by attending the workshop, it could help them by providing “the foundation for a solid career in the years ahead.’’
He added that trained and efficient journalists are important to the democratic process.
“It should be clear to all that our democracy would not reach its full potential, unless it is served by a journalistic community that is trained, efficient, mature, researched and responsible,’’ Sen. Gill argued.
Topics being covered in the training, facilitated by Grenadian journalist Hamlet Mark, include “Writing News Leads;’’ “Developing a Story;’’ “The Editorial Make-up of Newspapers;’’ “Use of Language;’’ “Bringing Forward the News;’’ and “Exploring Different Forms of Writing.’’
MWAG president Rawle Titus, emphasising the importance of the 10-day session, said writing is the basis to all aspects of journalism, both for the print and electronic media.
