"I see an unusual commitment from African journalists now -- not only because the political atmosphere is better, but also because programs from the West and advances in technology have made us all want to do our best," Oshunkeye explained.
"The press is much freer and vibrant now because the political atmosphere is much saner" under the leadership of President Olusegun Obasanjo, Oshunkeye added.
Journalism in Africa is still "a tough road to travel," Campbell says. "But there are encouraging signs in a number of places like Nigeria and South Africa, and an independent media is holding its own even in smaller nations like Benin."
Professionally, the media in Africa are also "evolving in the right direction, thanks to training programs like CNN's," Oshunkeye told USINFO.
Oshunkeye recently competed against 1,500 journalists from 43 African nations to win the prestigious CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2006 award. As part of the prize, he spent three weeks attending a professional development program for veteran journalists at CNN's headquarters in Atlanta.
The technology Oshunkeye was exposed to at CNN's Atlanta news operation was "awesome," he said. Digital newsgathering was "especially impressive because of the ease and speed [with which] stories and photos were being produced and even displayed on Web sites on the Internet," he said.
"I was also impressed with the effortless coordination I saw in the newsroom in Atlanta, where hundreds of people were working on different stories. The synergy created was like a band performing," he said.
U.S.-government-funded programs aimed at journalists are "also a valuable thing," Oshunkeye said. The journalist, whose stay in Washington was part of ECA's International Visitor Leadership Program, said, "On a personal level, I've been able to pick up some valuable lessons that I believe will enhance my work when I get back."
During the program, Oshunkeye attended ECA-sponsored workshops that helped him craft stories that were succinct and more "reader-friendly" than the more "wordy" writing he had been used to in Africa.
ECA also arranged for Oshunkeye to meet with noted journalist Helen Thomas, who was for many years the White House correspondent and bureau chief for United Press International. Thomas has covered every U.S. president since John F. Kennedy and is now sharing her experiences with foreign reporters.
ECA's International Visitor Leadership Program also is responsible for the Edward R. Murrow Program, which has brought hundreds of foreign journalists to America for training.
In March, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Dina Powell welcomed 129 journalists from 100 nations who were participating in the Murrow program. She said the program "emphasizes many democratic principles that guided its namesake in the practice of his profession, including integrity, ethics, courage and social responsibility. A free press is the foundation of a free society."
Another State Department program that is helping journalists is the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), which is funding a training project involving the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Qatar University. Its purpose is to promote news reporting and other journalism skills through the mass communication program at Qatar University. New funding will pay for more journalism courses, a student newspaper; new communication technology and a student and faculty exchange and internship program. (See related article.)
Journalists in South Africa also are sharpening their investigative journalism skills via a program funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development in conjunction with Rhodes University and the University of the Witwatersrand.
"Africa doesn't have the most impressive track record for independent and open media environments, and reporters often lack access to professional training," says Rhodes program coordinator Derek Luyt. That will change now with the training in investigative techniques the course offers, he added.
Source: AllAfrica
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