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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Cementing partnerships – Bush Radio and Deutsche Welle

Cementing partnerships – Bush Radio and Deutsche Welle

Bush Radio 89.5 FM and Deutsche Welle recently signed a rebroadcasting agreement to continue our partnership which started in 1992.

Brenda Leonard, Bush Radio’s Managing Director says; “We are very happy with the continued partnership with DW as it brings a unique flavour to programming and enhances our training role within the broadcast sector in South Africa and the region as a whole.”

The agreement with the international broadcaster is also inline with the Bush Radio philosophy of building partnerships which will have benefits not only to the listening audience but also the media sector through training opportunities offered by the station.

Naser Shrouf, Head of Distribution Africa/ Middle East at Deutsche Welle says; “We believe that community radio is a very important way to assist in education, for social development, strengthening the civil society and therefore contributing to democracy,”

“Bush Radio through its experience over the years and its commitment in training and scholarships plays a vital role in the broadcasting landscape of South Africa,” says Shrouf. “Deutsche Welle is looking forward to a mutual beneficial, long-lasting partnership with Bush Radio.”

Deutsche Welle is Germany’s international broadcaster that produces television, radio and online content in 30 languages. Its unique mix of news, information and cultural highlights offers insights to international issues. DW has more than 86 million listeners and viewers around the world weekly and offers a wide range of services including podcasting, live-streaming, newsletters, mobile content, apps and RSS feeds.