Online journalism the focus of OSCE-organized training course for journalism students in Turkmenistan

ASHGABAT, 8 November 2013 – Twenty-five journalism students from the Magtymugly Turkmen State University completed an OSCE-organized course on online journalism today

During the three-day course, a trainer from Ukraine instructed participants on ethics and professional standards in the online sphere, and taught them practical online skills. Topics covered included writing headlines and texts, working with sources, and effective use of online search. The course also addressed visualization of new media stories, including the use of photo, video and audio in online journalism.

“Online media has created strong competition for traditional media. The broad opportunities of the Internet are attracting an increasing number of readers and the speed, reach and accessibility of online journalism is changing how news is created, disseminated and consumed,” said Ambassador Ivo Petrov, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“The Centre organized the training courses to assist Turkmenistan’s institutions of higher education in modernizing journalism education and building the skills of future journalists to work in a digital age.”

A similar course for 30 journalism students, held by the OSCE Centre at the Institute of International Relations of the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan, will conclude tomorrow.