'to build and nurture critical minds set for the rapidly evolving world of journalism and communication'
'to strengthen democracy in the Gambia through quality journalism and effective communication'
Known for high quality outcomes and champion of journalism and communication training.
It is with profound gratitude, pride and humility that I welcome you to the Media Academy for Journalism and Communication-MAJaC. I am honored and blessed to be given the opportunity and responsibility of leading and managing an institution that placed the learners at the heart of what we do. Managing MAJaC is exciting, yet challenging because we churn out graduates expected to strengthen democracy by informing, educating, helping people make informed choices and often times entertain. In 2018, MAJaC was awarded the Human Rights Champion by the Gambia Press Union in their annual journalism excellence award. MAJaC had an exciting past which saw the school underwent a remarkable transformation in terms of teaching and learning, enrolment, facilities and curricula. Our journalism programme which is aligned to the UNESCO standards for journalism in Africa and accredited by the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority-NAQAA has produced award-winning journalists, editors and journalism tutors. Our teaching approach is learner-centered hinged on media ethics, analysis, critical thinking and research. Due to the hands-on training approach, the academy is lauded as “a revolution” in journalism education in The Gambia. This has also positioned MAJaC as a model for teaching journalism in the country. We have since developed, reviewed, tried and tested our communication programme and are now rolling it out. The curriculum is designed to prepare trainees with the requisite knowledge and skills to serve as communication officers, communication assistants, journalists and or public relations officers.Recently, we introduced the Film and Photography programme is to cater for the ever-growing demands of the creative industry. This programme supported by International Trade Center through the Youth Empowerment Project is intended to prepare trainees with the required knowledge, skills and the right attitude to serve as photographers, filming assistants and or content producers.With the world going digital, we intend to in the future introduce Digital Media Production, Data and Investigative Journalism, Media Management and Digital Media to Counter Disinformation and Hate Speech.The right professional training is the legacy that parents, guardians, sponsors and donors can leave trainees coming to MAJaC because we understand the dynamism in media, communication and in the creative industry. And with the world becoming a global village, we prepare our trainees for the demands ahead and accord them the knowledge, skills and right attitude to excel anywhere in the world. We strive to produce leaders who will be at the forefront of ensuring equality, transparency, democracy, economic prosperity and social justice. The demands of living and working in a global economic community necessitates adaptable, flexible, analytical and above all creative young people with the right skill set, knowledge and character to meet the many challenges that lie ahead.So, the place to horn your skills in the area of communication, film and photography and Journalism is MAJaC.I look forward to welcoming you to our community.Sang Mendy Managing Director
This level is intended to prepare trainees with the required knowledge and skills to serve as photography and filming technicians. It covers a minimum requirement of acquiring basic knowledge on the history and art of photography; maintaining camera equipment; operate still and moving Cameras; utilization of natural and artificial lightning in camera works; recording, monitoring and controlling sound in filming; and performance of basic editing of footages/photographs. This programme introduces learners to the opportunities available as well as guide them through a career path.
This level introduces learners to advanced media production. The course provides learners with an in-depth knowledge on content production. In this course learners will design, produce and present their own documentaries and programmes as well as produce and present or publish their own news bulletins. At this level, learners work on group and individaul projects with little supervision from trainers. The course also helps the learners to understand psychology, international relations and international human rights laws. Students who completed this level can work as sub-editors/editors and producers or communication officers in any medium or organisation. However, learners who choose to continue to their studies can proceed to the School of Journalism and Digital Media at the University of The Gambia.
This level is designed to prepare the trainees with the requisite knowledge and skills to serve as communication officers, communication assistants, journalists and or public relations officers. The programme covers the minimum requirements of acquiring basic knowledge on the various communication theories. They will also acquire basic knowledge on all communication related laws and will go through various ethical standards and values as they relate to communication. The programme is designed in a way that trainees will also acquire knowledge and skills in journalistic production, graphic design, web design and photography. Capping it all, the trainees will undergo rigorous professional English course hence English serves as the working tool in the communication world.
This level is designed to help learners understanding the dynamics of media and to be able to produce content, analyse and think critically. In this level, the learners take charge of their own learning while producing media content on complex issues with little guidance from the trainers. The courses will also help students acquire skills in print, broadcast and multimedia production. The courses delivered in this level are accompanied with critical thinking, analysis, media ethics and understanding media related laws. Students who completed this level can work as reporters and or communication assistant in any medium or organisation. MAJaC students who complete the diploma programme are eligible to enroll in the Advanced Diploma programme.
This certificate level is designed to cater for fresh school leavers who have the entry requirements and are passionate about journalism. The certificate course exposes learners to actual journalism production coupled with analysis and critical thinking as well as giving peer feedback and reflections. Upon completion of this level, graduates can work as cub reporters in any medium. Students who complete this level with good grades are eligible to proceed to the Diploma programme.
This foundation level is preparatory programme for people intending to take a professional journalism course. It is designed to cater for candidates who do not meet the entry requirements for the certificate programme. The module exposes students to learning the basic concepts of journalism, principles and history. In this level the students start actual media production with guidance and supervision. Students who complete this level with good grades are eligible to proceed to the certificate programme.
April 16, 2024
The Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC) in collaboration with Freedom House on Tuesday (today) launched a six-week intensive ethical journalism training for 20 early and mid-career Journalists in the Gambia. The training is meant to equip participants with the needed knowledge and skills to uphold ethical journalism in the country. The six-week training would cover the following themes: Ethics of Truth and Search for Identity, Ethical Thinking and Research, Business/Purpose of Journalism, and Sourcing among others. In his remarks at the launch, James Badjie, Director of Training at MAJaC said his institution collaborates with reputable organizations such as the Freedom House, Gambia Media Support, and UNESCO to build the capacity of journalists and civil society organizations. "As journalists, you hold immense power and responsibility. Your reporting can shape public opinion, influence policy decisions, and ultimately, help maintain trust in our institutions. However, with this power, comes the duty to adhere to ethical principles and professional standards," he said. Demba Kandeh, Deputy Chief of Party at Freedom House, said his institution, through the Promoting Rights and Justice in the Gambia, is committed to providing journalists with the necessary skills to uphold the standards of journalism in the country. “We are delighted to partner with MAJaC for the third time to deliver this important training and hope that this training will offer an opportunity for the new intake to learn from the former cohorts to help them improve in the delivery of the training,” he said in his launch statement. Musa Sarjo, representing the Gambia Press Union, commended Freedom House for its continuous partnership and support to MAJaC and the GPU. He urged the participants to adhere to the ethical principles and guidelines stated in the Cherno Jallow Charter of Ethics for Journalists. MAJaC, with the support of Freedom House and USAID, trained two batches of journalists on ethical journalism. This is the third cohort of journalists who are expected to undergo such training. At the launch, members of the previous cohorts trained in ethical journalism were invited to share their experiences with the new cohort.
April 9, 2024
The Media Academy for Journalism and Communication- MAJaC, received the Minister for Information, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay on Tuesday, 9th April 2024. The minister's visit was part of his efforts to familiarise himself with key media providers in the country as well as identify institutional challenges that need to be addressed in pursuit of promoting effective communication. Managing Director of MAJaC, Sang Mendy, expressed appreciation for the minister's visit. He highlighted the school's commitment to nurturing and building ethical journalists and communicators in the Gambia. Mendy also shared some of the challenges MAJaC currently faces. The challenges include limited space to train more journalists, among others. He solicited the minister's support and collaboration in transforming MAJaC TV and radio into campus media for students to gain much real-time journalism experience. MD Mendy further solicited scholarship support for students who find it difficult to pay their tuition fees. In response, the Minister for Information, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, acknowledged MAJaC's brand as a household name in the provision of journalism and communication education in the Gambia. While assuring that his doors are always opened, the Honourable he hopes for a fruitful collaboration with MAJaC. Honourable Ceesay expressed the need for proper training of journalists as liaison between the government and the public. He assured to support MAJaC in solving its space and other challenges. The Minister and his entourage first held discussions with the MAJaC management, before being taking on a conducted tour of the various facilities of the host academy. During the visit, the minister and his team were later taken on a tour of MAJaC's facilities. The facilities include the TV and radio studios, classrooms, and computer labs.
March 22, 2024
The Media Academy for Journalism and Communication - MAJaC, in partnership with Freedom House under the Promoting Rights and Justice in The Gambia program, is pleased to announce the opening of applications for a comprehensive training program focused on ethical reporting for journalists. This six-week training, commencing in April 2024, presents a valuable opportunity for early and mid-career journalists to enhance their understanding of journalistic ethics and professional standards. Applications are open until March 31, 2024, at 3pm. Please submit your applications here: https://forms.gle/mGDTAp4jqnkNe8Mz7
March 15, 2024
Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC) with funding from UNESCO is inviting journalists to participate in a fact-check reporting grant to counter fake news and misleading information. The grant is open and interested journalists can contact 3747123 to receive the pitching form. All fact-check reports will be paid D5000. Explainers, fact-sheet, promised meter etc will be paid D3000. Send your claims to [email protected] and copy to [email protected] and [email protected]
March 11, 2024
Media Academy for Journalism and Communication -MAJaC with funding from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - UNESCO Dakar, commenced a 3-day training in Advanced Fact-Checking and verification for 25 Journalists including community radio staff. The training is part of a one-year project that the Academy is implementing which seeks to boost the operational capacity of FactCheck Gambia. Trainees will learn the practical aspect of digital verification of images and videos, accountability journalism among other thematic areas of fact-checking and will further prepare you to participate in the reporting grant that the Academy will roll-out soon. Meita Touray the Project Manager, said fact-checking is a complex area in media work which requires skills to unravel truth from falsehood and misleading information. She said politicians, religious leader and those in authority tend to use the media in their quest to mislead the public. This she added can lead to serious consequences like tension and division in a country. “The role of journalists is crucial in disseminating accurate information to the public. Journalists must expose “fake news” regardless of where it emanates from. This is what MAJaC and UNESCO seek to promote by continually training journalists in fact-checking through projects and reporting grants to keep fact-checking alive in The Gambia,” she said. Ngenarr Yassin Jeng, representative from UNESCO Dakar office, highlighted the numerous works that UNESCO has done in supporting Journalists and Civil society in the Gambia. She reiterated UNESCO’s unwavering support to promoting Democracy and Good Governance in the Gambia. James Badjie MAJaC's Director of Training reiterated the importance of reporting accurate and reliable information, citing that misinformation/disinformation and even mal-information proliferates with disturbing speed, making the pursuit of truth morally imperative. Sainey Fofana, a participant, working for Soma Community Radio, said the training will help in his daily work as community radio journalist. “The training will help to detect and counter fake news by verifying information using the tools I will learn from this training. “Community Media plays an important role in information dissemination and I am excited to be part of this training. I will use the knowledge gained to verify and report accurately on stories of interest to my community.” After this training, participants and other journalists would participate in fact-check reporting grant to enable them report fact-check stories.
March 11, 2024
Media Academy for Journalism and Communication -MAJaC with funding from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - UNESCO Dakar, commenced a 3-day training in Advanced Fact-Checking and verification for 25 Journalists including community radio staff. The training is part of a one-year project that the Academy is implementing which seeks to boost the operational capacity of FactCheck Gambia. Trainees will learn the practical aspect of digital verification of images and videos, accountability journalism among other thematic areas of fact-checking and will further prepare you to participate in the reporting grant that the Academy will roll-out soon. Meita Touray the Project Manager, said fact-checking is a complex area in media work which requires skills to unravel truth from falsehood and misleading information. She said politicians, religious leader and those in authority tend to use the media in their quest to mislead the public. This she added can lead to serious consequences like tension and division in a country. “The role of journalists is crucial in disseminating accurate information to the public. Journalists must expose “fake news” regardless of where it emanates from. This is what MAJaC and UNESCO seek to promote by continually training journalists in fact-checking through projects and reporting grants to keep fact-checking alive in The Gambia,” she said. Ngenarr Yassin Jeng, represented UNESCO Dakar office highlighted the numerous works that UNESCO has done in supporting Journalists and Civil society in the Gambia. She reiterated UNESCO’s unwavering support to promoting Democracy and Good Governance in the Gambia. James Badjie MAJaC's Director of Training reiterated the importance of reporting accurate and reliable information, citing that misinformation/disinformation and even mal-information proliferates with disturbing speed, making the pursuit of truth morally imperative. Sainey Fofana, a participant, working for Soma Community Radio, said the training will help in his daily work as community radio journalist. “The training will help to detect and counter fake news by verifying information using the tools I will learn from this training. “Community Media plays an important role in information dissemination and I am excited to be part of this training. I will use the knowledge gained to verify and report accurately on stories of interest to my community.” After this training, participants and other journalists would participate in fact-check reporting grant to enable them report fact-check stories.
February 22, 2024
MAJaC held an orientation for Civil Society Organisations members as part of the US Embassy Banjul funded project “Strengthening the Media and CSOs for improved democracy”. The training which will run for 3-months, aims to strengthen the capacity of 20 CSO members in proactive advocacy using digital media tools and social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and TikTok, instead of staying rooted to the conventional means of reaching their target audiences. Sang Mendy, the Managing Director of MAJaC, emphasized the importance of CSOs using innovative approaches to promote transparency, good governance, and citizen engagement. “The CSOs are central in helping citizens to be interested in politics; how they are governed. With the right advocacy, outreach and sensitization by the CSO using various forms of media, citizens will begin to demand for their rights, insist on transparency and good governance and or hold the Government accountable for actions and inaction”, Mendy added. MAJaC is committed to building a network of empowered CSOs and media professionals with the aim of creating a lasting impact on democratic processes and promoting a culture of good governance and accountability.
February 12, 2024
The Media Academy for Journalism and Communication -MAJaC and The Gambia Media Support -GAMES today Launch ‘Unlock Potentials to Combat Irregular Migration (UPCIM)’ project. Sang Mendy, MAJaC Managing Director and UPCIM Project Manager, said the project seeks to address the root causes of irregular migration- unemployment, underemployment and hopelessness. It aims to help Gambian youth acquire media-related skills for employment and employment creation to combat irregular migration. “… MAJaC will in this project work with a group of CSOs through a coalition representing youth, migrant returnees, women, families, and more to developing adequate responses to combat irregular migration,” he said. “To do that MAJaC will build the capacity of 16 CSO staff with solid theoretical and practical communication and advocacy skills to conduct massive, proactive and innovative anti-irregular migration sensitisation.” Marianne Frederiksen, GAMES Project Manager, delved into MAJaC-GAMES partnership which now surpassed two decades. “The ambition is high, but after being partnering with MAJaC and the Gambian press Union for many years, we know that the organisations here is able to create the results,” she stated. Frederiksen is hopeful that the project would be able to make a little change in the life of some young migrants and build the capacity of MAJAC to be even more successful as a relevant training academy. Modou S. Joof, Secretary General, Gambia Press Union (GPU), said the Gambia Press Union (GPU) is pleased to be associated with this project, implemented by the Media Academy for Journalist and Communication and the Denmark-based Gambia Media Support (GAMES) to 'Unlock Potentials to Combat Irregular Migration (UPCIM)'. “This is an important project meant to address the challenges of migration that the Gambia is faced with, especially issues of irregular migration,” he said. “It is in line with the GPU’s efforts of building the capacity of media workers to effectively tackle the problems associated with irregular migration and the root causes by raising awareness on the subject.” Forty-eight (48) Gambian youths would receive an intensive nine-month training in Film & Photography, Communication and Digital Media Production & Management. This will equip them with the necessary skills to start-up their own business or grab gainful employment. For a successful implementation of this project, on top of its flagship journalism programme, the academy would develop a curriculum in Film & Photography, Communication and Digital Media Production & Management. MAJaC will host and coordinate a CSO Coalition to help raise awareness on opportunities often overlooked in The Gambia.
February 10, 2024
The Media Academy for Journalism and Communication- MAJaC graduates two batches of 38 students who have successfully completed the Advanced Diploma in Journalism and Communication. The graduation is the second of its kind which was graced by high profile dignitaries, members of the press and media chiefs. Professor Prierre Gomez, the minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, while giving his statement on the “Role of Journalism in National Development”, said journalists are essential part of national development. He reiterated his ministry’s committed to supporting journalists and journalism students in the Gambia. “The best five students of this batch will be will be given full scholarships at B.A or B.Sc. levels should they get admissions into the University of the Gambia school of Journalism”. Sang Mendy, Managing Director of the MAJaC said MAJaC would continue to strengthen democracy in The Gambia through a broad-based and high-quality professional training for media, communication specialists and content producers. “Graduands as you bid us farewell, I implore you to carry forth the values instilled in you during your time at MAJaC. As you step into the world of journalism, remember that you are not merely reporters but storytellers, entrusted with the sacred duty of illuminating truth and inspiring change. Let your work be guided by integrity, empathy, and a relentless pursuit of justice. You must continue to keep our flag high”, Mendy highlighted. Abibatou Ceesay, the best graduating student, who scooped the International Relations, Human Rights Law and Psychology awards, shared some of encouragement with her fellow graduands. “As we bid MAJaC farewell and face this world full of uncertainty, the grass may not be greener on the other side. However, let us be resilient and endeavour to carry the knowledge, skills and experience, and continue to strive for excellence, embrace diversity, and make a positive difference in our lives and the lives of others.” Ya Sohna Sonko and Omar Ahmadou Touray emerged Second and Third best students respectively. Other speakers included Gibairu Janneh, the keynote speaker and the Director of Communication and IT, Muhammed S. Bah, Board Chair of MAJaC and Modou Joof, Secretary General of the Gambia Press Union. MAJaC is renowned for its hand-on training which is anchored on media ethics, analysis, critical thinking and research. The academy is lauded as a “revolution” in journalism education in the Gambia.
January 19, 2024
The Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC)launched a project titled “Strengthening CSOs and Media for Improved Democracy and Good Governance". The project which is funded by the United States Embassy in The Gambia, seeks to build and empower the capacity of 20 Community radio journalists and 20 CSO members on interactive radio programming and proactive advocacy. Sang Mendy, the Managing Director of MAJaC says, the CSOs and the media lack the capacity to engage in proactive advocacy and interactive content, thereby making it difficult to reach their targets. This project he said, will bridge these gaps by equipping the Media and CSOs to effectively play their watchdog roles. Mendy urged the participants to be committed and actively take part in the trainings. “We look forward to your dedication, commitment and your desire to learn and share during the cause of the training”, he continued. Susan Solomon, Public affairs officer at the US embassy Banjul said the media is a pillar of a healthy democracy, while highlighting some of the challenges journalists in the Gambia faced during the former regime. The US Embassy she said, is committed to helping Gambian journalists through various projects, trainings and fellowships. “We are happy to launch this project. MAJaC is producing leaders, journalists, media experts who will be at the forefront in ensuring equity, democracy, transparency and economic prosperity”. Other speakers included Modou Joof, Secretary General of the Gambia Press Union, Alagie S. Cham, program officer at TANGO and Amadou O. Bah, Secretary General of Community radios in the Gambia. Media Academy for Journalism and Communication is committed to building a network of empowered CSOs and media professionals with the aim of creating a lasting impact on democratic processes and promoting a culture of good governance.