Journalism Education in Moldova Angela Sirbu, IJC Vitalie Dogaru, IJC/CSAJ Nelly Turcan, MSU Prague, 5 April, 2009

Moldova: journlaism education opportunities 2 main types 1.University degree education 2.Professionalization programes

1. University degree education  6 state & private faculties, including one in Tiraspol  long-term – up to 5 years  officialy recognized diplomas  free of change & paid  the oldest - department of journalism and sciences of communication, Moldova State University (DJSC/MSU)

Case study 1 Department of Journalism an Communication Sciences, Moldova State University DJCS (MSU)

DJCS (MSU) 1  Faculty of Philology (Journalism Department )  Faculty of Journalism  Faculty of Journalism and Communication Sciences  4 specialties: Journalism, Public communication Publishing, Library, archive and information assistance.

DJCS (MSU) 2  2005/ new model of university training (Bologna Process)  Three-degree cycle (Bachelor- Master-PhD) Bachelor- 3 year programme (180 ECTS) - full time studies Master- 2 year programme (120 ECTS) - full time studies Doctorate - 3 year programme (full time), 4 year programme (part time)

DJCS (MSU) 3 Major Challenges  Has increased practical training – 60% of academic hours  Theoretical courses - 40% of hours  Internships–17 weeks (510 hours)  The number of optional modules has increased - up to 40% of Bachelor curriculum

DJCS (MSU) 4 Major Challenges  Four directions of specialization: political journalism economical journalism social journalism cultural journalism  Journalism Bachelor's degree is designed to give students the skills needed for careers in journalism, broadcasting, reporting, writing and editing

DJCS (MSU) 5 Major Challenges  Final examinations (two exams – theoretical and practical and Bachelor thesis ) Second exam – “Professional skills in journalism”  newspaper (team work)  editorial mission (individual) – to provide interview, news, reportage  Degree: Bachelor (Licentiate) in Communication Sciences

DJCS (MSU) 6  2009/2010 – new programmers for Master degree:  Academic Master Programme:  Mediology  Professional Master Programmes:  Media Institution Management  International Journalism  Analytical Journalism  Degree: Master in Communication Sciences

2. Professionalization  short-term (from few days to 1 year)  who – ngos (Independent Journalism Center, API, APEL, Acces-Info, Center for Young Journalist...)  initiative comes from both the groups and the international organizations  several (2-4) training cources every month  no officialy recognized diplomas  usualy free of charge (exception CSAJ – 1 year program)

Case study 2 Chisinau School of Advanced Journalism (CSAJ)  since 2006  1 year program  for graduates  up to 20 students/year

CSAJ 1 Selection based on:  CV  application form  letter of motivation  3 journalistic works  2 letters of recommendation  copy of diploma of undergraduate studies (the final year students submit a certificate)  copy of the national identity card  selection finalize with a written test and an interview

CSAJ 2 – applicants/students *political studies, sociology, management, pedagogy, economics, psychology, law etc. AppliedSelected Journalism graduates164 Philology87 Other* Journalism graduates133 Philology67 Other* Journalism graduates185 Philology73 Other*148

CSAJ 3 – Courses (the goal) by local and foreign experts  Introduction to journalism  News & reporting  Editing  Media law  Photojournalism  Visual journalism  Ethics & diversity  On-line journalism & Computer assisted reporting (CAR)  Media & editorial management  Radio & TV journalism  Economic journalism  Political journalism  Social & Community journalism  Investigative journalism  Newsroom & internships

CSAJ 4 – results: 35 graduates in 2 years 27 employed in the media 2006/072007/08Total News agency 112 Print media 4610 Radio 235 TV 7310 Other

Need in training1

Need in training 2

What journalists want 1

What journalists want  online journalism  photo journalism  management  advertising  design  radio journalism  TV journalism

Moldova: challenges LOW PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS:  little practical relevance of university education;  insufficient “on-the-job” training, especially in “beat” reporting;  inadequate media management skills;  poor legal culture;  ignorance about professional ethics and failure to respect its principles.

MEDIA TRAINING INSTITUTIONS – recommendations  closer cooperation between universities and news outlets to reduce the gap between “real-life journalism” and “ivory-tower academia”  university curricula - more practical, hands-on classes, and university radio and TV stations, newspapers…  both academic institutions and mid-career training - more specialty courses (economic and social-issues reporting, investigative journalism, etc)  make media-law courses more efficient  closer cooperation between practicing lawyers, news outlets and academic circles  refresher courses for media-law instructors necessary  courses on media ethics – by both academic and mid-career training institutions; ethics part of other courses (based on relevant case studies)

Proposals Research (regional)  interests/goals/needs of journalism training organizations in each country - do they match? what the benefits of cooperation would be?  best practices of collaboration between different media organizations (faculties & ngos)