Maseru, April 12 – The Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation Ms. Nthati Moorosi officially launched the Broadcasters’ Training Program at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) on Wednesday.
This one year program, which will be offered to Broadcasters’ from different local radio stations is sponsored by Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA).
Speaking at the event, Ms. Moorosi said it is vital for the media to abide with Broadcasting code thus the training forms part of the initiate to enhance the skills of Presenters and Journalists as well as to address a challenge of weak capacity of reporters and lack of relevant skills required.
She added that the training is intended to improve the Broadcasters’ content production, balance news content and improve their professionalism and ethics.
She further said it is important that local institutions provide short courses to enhance skills of qualified media practitioners, expressing hope that LUCT would provide other Programs needed by different departments in her Ministry.
She also said the partnership between LCA and LUCT will benefit Basotho as they will get information which builds the country, saying the Ministry will provide free Wi-Fi to the University for a period of three years to assist students and Lecturers to easily do researches.
Speaking at the same event, LUCT Vice Chancellor Adv. Tefo Macheli said the training program marks a milestone as it will upskill the competence of the trainees, saying education is important for dynamic changes ahead as well as technological innovations in broadcasting.
“It is important to create new trends in the media sector as the future of the country relies on responsible and competent media practitioners” he said.
On the other hand, LCA Chief Executive Officer Mr. Nizam Goolam said it was difficult to conceptualise this idea but it became a success, expressing gratitude to LUCT for forming partnership with LCA.
He also warned the trainees that transition becomes difficult in the beginning and urged them to work hard to achieve better results.
On behalf of Broadcasters’, Father Charles Matsoso expressed gratitude for the Program, saying Presenters have God given talent to talk eloquently on radios but believe the training will enhance further their skills and improve their professionalism and ethics.
He also urged Broadcasters to take the training seriously, be disciplined and dedicated. “The training will produce finest Journalists the country has been longing for” he said.
One of the Trainees Ms. Mots’abi Ts’ehlana said they had always wanted to enhance their skills by furthering their studies but failed to do so due to various reasons, expressing gratitude over the Program.
She also said they will contribute towards the development of the country through skills acquired during the training.
Meanwhile as part of the event, an addendum was signed by both LUCT and LCA.
The Program will this year be offered to 51 Broadcasters from different radio stations except community radio stations due to reasons stated by the latter.
However the Ministry and LCA are due to make arrangements on how they will work with community radio stations in this regard. The Program will be offered for a period of three years.
Ends
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