By Staff Reporter
The African Journalism Education Network (Ajen) was received with warm interest at the AGM of its sister organisation, the European Journalism Training Association (Ejta), held in Utrecht in the Netherlands in mid-October.
Ajen was represented by its president, Prof Franz Krüger, who had the opportunity to present the organisation to attendees. “Journalism teachers from many countries were very interested to hear of our activities, and many want to stay in touch,” he said.
Krüger also met separately with Ejta President Anne Leppäjärvi, of the Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki, Finland, and with Ejta Director Nadia Vissers, of AP Hogeschool in Antwerpen, Belgium. “We agreed to stay in touch and to look for opportunities to co-operate,” said Krüger.
Besides dealing with organisational matters, the AGM, included a report-back on the process to review the Tartu Declaration outlining the competencies needed by journalism students and a keynote address on the importance of placing public literacy at the heart of journalism teaching. Prof Yael de Haan of the Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, presenting the keynote, argued that journalists need to learn new skills to listen to audiences and tailor reporting to their needs.
In round table discussions, delegates grappled with the implications of artificial intelligence (AI), research, inclusive journalism and bridging the gap between teaching and the profession. The round table discussion on AI saw delegates exchange notes about a wide range of ways in which they used the technology in their own work, including generating exercises and notes.
Some said they encouraged students to use AI, while others used various techniques to prevent cheating. It was agreed that AI should not be used as an assessment tool. “We owe them our attention,” one said, while others pointed out it would be inconsistent to insist on students doing their own work while lecturers used it in grading.
The AGM also marked Ejta’s 35th anniversary, which was celebrated in a special function. Ejta has over 80 member schools from across Europe. Five new institutional members were accepted into Ejta during the AGM, including from Ireland, Cyprus, Poland and France. The organisation does not have individual members.
Ejta holds two meetings per year, an AGM and a training event. The next event will take place in Tartu, Estonia, in May next year, under the theme: “Beyond the deadline: Teaching the Happiness of Journalism.” More details on the association’s website, https://ejta.eu/.
Krüger said that it was clear that despite differences, journalism teachers in other parts of the world shared many similar concerns. “It is important for Ajen to build contacts with colleagues elsewhere in order to address its aim of making the voice of African journalism educators better heard on the global stage.”