SEMINAR ON EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN JOURNALISM AND COMMUNICATION IN MOZAMBIQUE
MAPUTO, 17-18 MAY 2001
FINAL REPORT
DRAWN UP FOR THE MEDIA DEVELOPMENT IN MOZAMBIQUE PROJECT
BY EDUARDO NAMBURETE AND TOMAS VIEIRA MARIO
MAPUTO, MAY 2001
Foreword
Journalism and communication education still represents a relatively new field of study in Mozambique as well as in Africa in general. In the case of Mozambique this can be explained in the Portuguese colonization of the country.
A first effort to create conditions to educate journalists in the country both academically and vocationally started in the late seventies with short-term courses to upgrade the skills of already working journalists, however often with a very limited educational background of less than nine years of school.
In the development process of these short-term training courses, a project to create a School of Journalism took shape, and once formally established, functioned under the Ministry of Information, which was abolished in 1991 when the Media Law was passed.
Over the years and in the middle of harsh difficulties and with no formal statutes and official curriculum until 1990, the school educated though generations of journalists some of whom presently with the most influential positions in the country’s newspapers, radio stations and TV.
In the 80es the school came to be the School of Journalism for all the five Portuguese-speaking PALOP countries in Africa (Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Cap Verde and Sao Tomé and Príncipe) as well as East Timor.
In spite of weaknesses it is as such important to consider the experience available in the country for the needed revision of the curriculum as well as improvement of facilities and required equipment for the institution.
At the same time, education in the area of journalism and communication at university level is very recent : only in 2001the private “Instituto Politécnico Superior e Universitário”, ISPU, graduated its first students of Communication.
Furthermore the faculty of education in Nampula at the Catholic University of Mozambique has recently started a bachelor-degree study in Communication and the EduardoMondlaneUniversity in Maputo, the only public university in Mozambique, is in an advanced stage of preparation for the establishment of a School of Communication and Art.
All in all, this experience will definitely strengthen a dynamic and powerful Mozambican media, confronting the challenges and needs of society and benefiting from the great advances in exactly the area of information technology and communication.
The UNESCO/UNDP Media Development Project is honoured to have been requested to take part in a series of reflections with the different partners directly or indirectly interested and involved in this area. And it is with an extended sense of responsibility that we hope the present report will assist the relevant and interested parties to formulate adequate strategies for education and training of journalism and communication professionals that will meet the needs of the media sector in the country.
Let us end by stressing that the opinions expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect official UNESCO policies.
Maputo, May 2001
Birgitte JallovTomás Vieira Mário
Chief Technical AdviserNational Project Coordinator
I - INTRODUCTION
Immediate Objective 7 of the UNESCO/UNDP project for the Development of the Media in Mozambique determines the holding of a "National Seminar on the Policy and Strategy of Journalism Training in Mozambique". In compliance with this objective, a seminar entitled "Education and Training in Journalism and Communication in Mozambique" was held on 17-18 May 2001 in Maputo. In line with the objectives originally defined by the project document, the central purpose of the seminar was to discuss and produce recommendations on a long term strategy, above all for the development of human and technical resources in the sphere of the education and technical-professional training of journalists in the country, through curriculum reforms, restructuring and institutional strengthening of the education bodies, and technical-professional training in this area. Among the indispensable requirements for attaining this goal are the discussion and formulation of policies and plans for the training and systematic upgrading of educators and trainers, the development of curricula that respond to the needs of the media industry, in light of the new national scenario, characterised by diversity, pluralism and independence of the national mass media, as well as the corresponding needs of the same institutions in terms of infrastructures and adequate equipment.
The seminar was officially opened by the Minister of Education, Dr Alcido Ngwenha, who was welcomed by the Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Maputo, Dr Svend Madsen.
II - OBJECTIVE
The main objective of this seminar was to undertake a comparative assessment, as exhaustively as possible, of the human resource needs of the media industry (in terms of adequate academic and professional training) on the one hand, and on the other the capacity of the training institutes to satisfy these same market needs. Reference points for analysis were:
1.The curricular programmes;
2.The level and areas of training and specialisation of the teachers and technical trainers; and
3.The capacity and appropriateness of the infrastructures and equipment available in the various relevant educational establishments and technical and professional training centres.
Additionally, and in a concrete and practical manner, the seminar also discussed:
1.Different models of journalism teaching that might be adopted in Mozambique;
2.The new role of the JournalismSchool in the current context of media pluralism and independence;
3.The exchange of synergies between the various institutions of academic and professional training in the country and in the region; and
4.The role of cooperation partners in journalism training.
During two days, the discussions around these themes took contributions from a group of about sixty participants, including editorial directors, editors and managers of the various media, educators and trainers in journalism and communication, and also representatives of training institutions invited from the SADC region, as well as representatives from the government bodies that supervise the sector, namely the government Press Office (Gabinfo).
III - METHODOLOGY
The seminar was organised into four panels on specific themes, a group discussion session, and a final plenary session.
The starting point of the seminar was the presentation of the main findings and recommendations of the "Study on Education and Training in Journalism and Communication", requested from two specialists by the UNESCO/UNDP Media Project in December 2000. The study identifies the needs of the mass media in terms of human resources adequately trained to respond to the challenges of a modern and active journalism. At the same time, it presents the level of response offered to the media industry by the country's existing training institutions. Three institutions for the education and training of journalists were the main targets of this study, namely:
*the JournalismSchool;
*the Higher Polytechnic and University Institute (ISPU); and
*the CatholicUniversity (Bachelor's Degree in Communication at the Education Faculty in Nampula).
This summary was presented by Eduardo Namburete, of Maputo's EduardoMondlaneUniversity, a member of the team that undertook the study, under the leadership of Professor Matt Mogekwo, of the North WestUniversity, Mmabatho, South Africa.
The findings of the study were the basis for a first session of discussions around the state of the teaching of communication and journalism in Mozambique, which was an initial opportunity for the participants to advance strategic lines for reforms of the sector. Particular stress was immediately laid on the JournalismSchool, which is potentially the main supplier of editorial staff for the media industry in Mozambique - and the only public journalism training institution.
1.THEMATIC PANELS
Following this first plenary debate, discussions took place around more specific matters, through the following four panels:
The first thematic panel, formed by editors and editorial directors from the various mass media, considered the problematic of the needs of media companies in comparison with the training offered by the communications training institutes.
The second thematic panel was led by academics not directly involved in teaching or practicing journalism, and it was intended to provide a critical assessment of the state of journalism in Mozambique from an academic perspective.
The third panel presented a regional perspective on journalism training in southern Africa - possibilities and challenges.
Finally, on the second day of the seminar, the fourth panel discussed a menu of possible models for education and professional training in journalism at the tertiary level.
2.THEMATIC GROUPS
The presentations and discussions held up to the end of the morning of the second day were taken further in smaller sessions of four thematic groups which each concentrated on the following specific topics:
1.Possible models for journalism training at tertiary level;
2.New role of the JournalismSchool and curriculum development;
3.Synergies and interconnections between national and regional training institutions and the JournalismSchool; and
4.The role of cooperation partners in journalism training.
After the discussions in working groups, there followed in the afternoon the presentation of the conclusions and proposed recommendations, which were then discussed in plenary sessions at the end of the seminar.
IVGENERAL ASSESSMENT OF THE DISCUSSIONS
In his speech opening the seminar, the Minister of Education mentioned two crucial aspects, directly related to the meeting and relevant to its objectives. He officially transmitted the information that "currently a study is under way on the transformation of the JournalismSchool into a higher institute for training in mass communication", and at the same time he expressed the hope that the seminar would produce "important recommendations to help the government define its responsibilities in the training of media professionals".
This openness of the government encouraged open discussions, around very concrete questions which characterise the sector currently, initially in the light of the "Study on Education and Training in Journalism and Communications", the main findings of which indicate the following:
1.Poor level of journalism practiced in the country;
2.The curricula of the new institutions for teaching and training in journalism and communication are regarded as inadequate, and it is urgent that they should be reshaped;
3.Lack of teachers with adequate academic and technical-professional training, in line with the growing demands of the media industry;
4.Inadequate infrastructures and lack of appropriate equipment, libraries and other facilities necessary for training in journalism;
5.The Journalism School, the largest and oldest journalism training institution in the country, is inadequate, both in terms of its curriculum and its staff, particularly teachers, and its premises and equipment. It needs serious and urgent restructuring;
6.The subordination of the JournalismSchool to the government press office (GABINFO) is an important constraint on its development.
From these findings of the study, the participants focused on the following points in particular:
1.They recognised that the sombre picture of the state of journalism education painted by the study is real, but should not be understood as something exceptional to Mozambique, since there are similar scenarios in many African countries. The central point to be considered is how to overcome the present defective training of journalists in the country.
2.They stressed the poor technical-professional preparation of students trained at the JournalismSchool, due to curricular programmes that are out of line with the profession.
3.They noted in particular that there is no training of the students in connection with the new communication and information technologies.
4.Various scenarios were advanced, in terms of a possible model for the JournalismSchool, in order to provide it with a more appropriate institutional framework, and greater and more efficient professionalisation of its students. Below are listed the possibilities that were most discussed:
a)Direct tutelage by the Ministry of Education, as is the case with the mid-level Technical-Professional Institutes (namely the Industrial and Commercial Institutes);
b)Its transformation into an autonomous polytechnic institute;
c)Its tutelage by, or integration into, the EduardoMondlaneUniversity (public university).
5.Of these possible models, the first two attracted the greatest attention from the participants, since they correspond to the model for a Mid-LevelTechnicalStaffTraining School, identified by the media industry as most in line with its needs.
6.They stressed the need for journalists' training institutions in general, and the Journalism School in particular, to establish institutional and systematic ties with the managers of the companies of the sector, editorial directors and editors, involving them consistently in discussing and defining the curricular programmes and similar requirements;
7.Approximation between the JournalismSchool and the media sector would also help create among the students greater interest in the profession since, according to the participants, what currently happens is that those who graduate from the JournalismSchool do not take up a career in journalism - instead they use the school as a springboard for entering various university courses. This situation tends to perpetuate the shortage of qualified journalists in the country.
8.The new (private) institutions that give courses in communication and journalism should also design and shape their curricular programmes taking into account the real needs of the communication industry, with which they should interact in a systematic and consistent manner.
9.In particular, the curricular programmes should try to be in line as much as possible with the socio-cultural and also the economic realities of the country, in order to produce communication professionals capable of interpreting with due sharpness and rigour the reality that surrounds them.
In addition, the following reflections were made:
As for the lack of interest among students in following a career in journalism, it was suggested that the introduction of subjects linked to communication be considered for primary classes, so that pupils would be given the chance to understand the importance of the media in the country's development at this initial stage of their education.
The participants also expressed strong doubts about the academic level demanded for entering the Journalism School, which is currently 10th grade. There was a strong tendency arguing that the entry qualification should be 12th grade.
The editors insistently demanded a training system for the students more oriented towards professionalisation, particularly through greater exposure to the newsrooms of the mass media, for more direct contact with their future professional environment and labour market.
The institutional framework for the JournalismSchool was one of the matters that sparked off lively debates among the participants who thought that the current tutelage arrangement is a major weak point for the school's development. On this aspect, the participants recommended several alternatives for the most effective tutelage for the school, as mentioned earlier.
The intention of transforming the JournalismSchool into a higher education institution, announced by the Minister of Education in his opening speech was also considered.
One of the arguments presented by the management of the JournalismSchool for the project of transforming it into a higher institute of mass media training is that this would be an appropriate strategy so that the institution could benefit from more robust financial support, coming from inside and outside the country. This explanation was greeted with strong reservations by the seminar participants, who thought it insufficient support for a decision with such major strategic consequences for the development of the mass media in Mozambique.
On this question, the participants made the following suggestions:
1.That the Journalism School should continue to provide mid-level courses to satisfy the needs of the sector in terms of professionals for the communications industry;
2.That the JournalismSchool should develop in the direction of training journalists at the level of a bachelor's degree.
3.That the JournalismSchool should introduce the diploma.
APPENDICES: GROUP 1
PANEL I
PANEL II
PANEL III
PANEL IV
PANEL 1
NEEDS OF THE MEDIA COMPANIES VIS-A-VIS THE TRAINING OFFERED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING INSTITUTIONS
The needs of the media companies versus the training offered by the communications training institutions were discussed in a session with a panel of the following composition:
1.Antonio Gumende, Chairman of "MediaCoop" and Executive Editor of SARDC-Maputo;
2.Leandro Paul, owner and editor of the weekly "Fim-de-Semana";
3.Leonel Matias, director of information of Radio Mozambique;
4.Salomao Moyana, editor of the weekly "Savana";
5.Simao Anguilaze, news director of Mozambique Television.
Leandro Paul stressed the need for journalists undergoing training at the JournalismSchool to learn the basics of using computers and handling the Internet. These subjects, although they are included on the JournalismSchool curriculum, have not been taught to the students, because the school does not possess computers.
The lack of specialisation in Mozambican journalism was indicated as a great disadvantage in how the media operate, and there were suggestions that the JournalismSchool should design specific, specialist training modules for professionals already working "on the ground".
Leonel Matias laid particular stress on Radio Mozambique's experience in its relationship with the JournalismSchool, particularly regarding the internships for students from the school. He said that, in contacts with "dozens of students" from the school over the years, defects were noted that revealed random recruitment, lack of motivation or of interest in journalism, and poor basic academic training. As for the organisation of the internships themselves, Matias suggested that they be longer, and should start earlier, unlike the present practice, in which they only take place in the last semester of the course.
Simao Anguilaze, one of the senior Mozambican journalists who received his basic training at the Journalism School, said that many other journalists at Mozambique Television had, like him, undergone their basic training at the school, but in a different historical context and with another curriculum. Currently, his experience shows that the system of three month internships that the students undertake at TVM is ineffective, in that they start the apprenticeship practically with no technical mastery of their future profession. According to Anguilaze, there is a great mismatch between what the interns bring from the School and what they are expected to be able to show in their workplace. This means that, in the internship periods, in the final months of the course, they still need to learn "the most elementary things" of the profession.