UK Helps Train Vietnamese Journalists

Text of report in English by Vietnamese newspaper Nhan Dan website on 14 March

Fifty young Vietnamese journalists from 32 newspapers, TV and radio stations across Vietnam have completed six week long training workshops which were supported by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Global Opportunities Fund through the British Embassy and British Council, in partnership with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

An evaluation meeting was held today with the participation of hundreds of chief editors and young journalists and media professionals after the three-year implementation of MediaNet, the Media Capacity Building Project.

MediaNet was launched in 2005 focusing on the training of 50 young, dynamic journalists from 32 newspapers, TV and radio stations across Vietnam who have been selected through tough open competition.

This UK-funded programme worth 146,000 pounds consists of a series of professional and language trainings and study visit to the UK. It was developed with the aim of familiarising Vietnamese young journalists with international standards and practices.

The programme has successfully achieved its objectives as commented by participants.

“Skills and professionalism are what I’ve learned most”, said Nguyen Minh Hung, reporter of Voice of Vietnam Radio. “Before the training workshops, I did very few interviews for my stories, but after the course, I now often interview at least three people for a story”

Through the programme, participants have been provided with training courses under experienced trainers from the Thomson Foundation, a world-renowned centre for media training based at Cardiff University, combining both theoretical and practical sessions including field trips. The UK trainers were also actively supported with valuable contribution from other trainers including one foreign journalist based in Hanoi and a Vietnamese trainer. This has enabled a good blend of local, regional and international updates, experience sharing and professional practices.

Keith Davies, director of the British Council said, “We hope this project will not only help young journalists develop their professional skills and understanding of global issues, but also enable them to tell Vietnam’s many success stories more effectively to international readers.”

Originally published by Nhan Dan website, Hanoi, in English 14 Mar 08.

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