DUSHANBE, July 28, 2009, Asia-Plus — The European Union is promoting media awareness of economic issues through the EU-funded project “Raising the Professionalism and Public Outreach of Tajik Business Intermediary Organizations” (BIO) under its Central Asia Invest program, which is implemented by “Internews Europe” with local partners NGO “Khoma” and the National Association of Small and Medium-sized Businesses., press release issued by the Delegation the European Commission in Tajikistan on July 28 said.
The project aims at building the capacity of BIOs to work with small and medium enterprises to provide better services to their members and improve public information access on business in Tajikistan, Central Asia and internationally, through enhanced external communication and coverage of business news in the local media.
In the framework of the EU-funded Project, the partner Khoma has organized a “Journalism School of Economics”, a seminar lasting from July 21 to July 31.
Invited seminar participants include journalists from print and electronic media from all regions of the country. The aim of the school is to analyze and assess the level of Tajik journalism on covering social and economic themes, enhancing and improving the economic knowledge of journalists, the correct coverage of economic issues in the media and defining the typical mistakes in electronic and print coverage of economic issues.
The organizers are conducting a distinctive economic literacy campaign on the fundamentals of macro-economics and other economic aspects for journalists. During recent years, economic issues have become of current concern, also due to the financial crisis, and many journalists lack the specific knowledge to cover economic issues.
The agenda includes a general macro-economics course, a review of the economic situation in Tajikistan, a study of the information sources, principles of journalism, statistics, the formation of a correct position by journalists on a number of current economic issues, an interview model, press-conferences with experts, a field visit, work in groups and a practical assignment on preparing the materials for media.
The seminar has been conducted by experienced trainers – TV journalist with 20 years of experience Ms Magda Walter (United Kingdom), popular business journalist Ms Baktzhan Zhumalieva (Kazakhstan) and Doctor of Economics Mr. Hojimahmad Umarov (Tajikistan). The participants will receive certificates upon completion of the courses on economics.
