Local journalists get world-class TV training

Bush Radio 89.5FM, in partnership with the Deutsche Welle (DW) Academy, is currently holding a 6-day Community TV and Local News training course (23 – 28 May 2011), for various participants with the aim of strengthening their skills as community television journalists.

The enthusiasm of the trainers, Birgit Keller and Martin Schönian, co-ordinator Christopher Springate and the participants is creating an infectious excitement that can be felt by all at Bush Radio’s studios.

Christopher Springate

Christopher Springate, the course co-ordinator said: “To be specific, we intend to enlighten the participants with their reporting, writing, researching, filming and editing skills.”

Birgit Keller said that as the trainers they are not doing the course to have the participants do things in a certain way, but rather to show them how it works. She also added that they are keen to show the participants how to manage current affairs in order to get ideas on how they can improve.

Birgit Keller

Participants are from various television and radio stations including Bay TV, CTV, Soweto TV, Radio KC, Bush Radio, Community Video Education Trust and the Oguni Solidarity Forum.

Lebogang Kubyane from Soweto TV said: “I am extremely impressed with the course and what it has to offer. The trainers are great people and it is comforting to know that I am able to learn new and interesting things everyday.”

The course started off with a general introduction and ranges from activities like editing vox-pops, writing for television, “on-camera” work and production editing.

Martin Schönian said, “The reason for the course being aimed at community journalists is because they have the responsibility to voice the communities’ opinions more often as opposed to commercial stations. Therefore they need to be highly skilled to do this task.”

Martin Schönian

Birgit Keller gave the final word on the participants and hosts: “I am really impressed with the participants. They are truly bringing forth a great amount of energy and good ideas. I also need to add that it is interesting to be at Bush Radio. The friendly staff and warm welcome which we receive creates a warm and good atmosphere for all.”

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Lights, Camera, Action

Cementing partnerships – Bush Radio and Deutsche Welle

Looking back, marching forward

It has been a busy few months since we started the Bush Radio blog with WordPress. We hope that this platform has brought you more ways to interact with the “mother of community radio in Africa”.

Click on the links below to have a look at some of posts over the past few months and let us know how we can improve your station.

Also remember you can check out our facebook group and Zoopy page, for more pictures and videos.

July 2009 – Lending a helping hand

August 2009 – The Dream Big competition

September 2009 – Shiraaz finding his Africaness, 10 days / 10 presenters and Gugs Youth Radio etc

October 2009 – Launch of the news Bush Radio site and Deutsche Welle training at Bush Radio

November 2009 – Radio in Zimbabwe and Selling your soul

December 2009 – Our pledge drive (on-going) and MKK 2009

2010 is bound to be an exciting year!