MAPUTO, Mozambique, 22 June 2017 – This morning, the Media Strengthening Program (MSP) graduated 27 new journalists from the ten-month MídiaLab vocational training program for emerging media professionals. At the graduation event at IREX, U.S. Ambassador Dean Pittman spoke to the new journalists and handed over their certificates of completion.
“I have been impressed by the work produced by this group and am certain that the graduates will pursue their profession with the highest level of professionalism,” commented Ambassador Pittman in his remarks, emphasizing the important role of journalists in society.
The MídiaLab provides an intensive training environment that closely replicates the conditions and requirements of a commercial media outlet and focuses on the development of technical skills, critical thinking and analysis.
“We are not training journalists to acquire technical skills only, but hope that each journalist will continue to develop professionally and become a force for positive change in society,” said Arild Drivdal of IREX.
During the training period, the MídiaLab participants internalize theoretical aspects of journalism through situational learning and gain practice by producing news content for television, print and online media.
Approximately 30 university graduates are selected to take part in the MídiaLab program each year after a highly competitive selection process that involves tests, exercises and interviews. The next application deadline is July 15, with a new training cycle starting in August 2017 and another starting in January 2018.
The Media Strengthening Program (MSP) is funded by the Government of the United States of America, through its Agency for International Development (USAID), and implemented by IREX.
