MAJaC and partners launch a three-month “Innovate to Combat Emigration” project, which aims to unlock potentials through training and creating employment opportunities for young people. The project is a mini grant that seeks to equip MAJaC and partners, the Gambia Media Support-GAMES (a Danish-based media development organisation) with relevant information, understanding and insight of what is needed in terms of media and its related fields to help curb irregular migration. Sang Mendy, the Managing Director of MAJaC says The Gambia, like many African countries, continues to struggle with irregular migration, despite small its population. “We are on this fact-finding mission of taping ideas and collecting information to enable us apply for funding that will build the capacity of more young people in areas such as communication and public relations, creative and graphic designs, film and photography, digital media development and management, media innovation and entrepreneurship etc., aside our flagship journalism training programme,” Mendy stated. Modou S. Joof, Secretary General of the Gambia Press Union recognises the importance of the initiative, and highlights the significant role that MAJaC and GPU play in combating irregular migration. “In 2021 and 2022, we (GPU) conducted trainings on migration reporting, to enable journalists to understand the dynamics and context of migration,” Joof added. During the three-month period, MAJaC officials will hold series of meetings and consultations with civil society organisations, youth groups, the media, national and international organisations involved in the fight against irregular migration. The purpose of these meetings with the mentioned stakeholders is to harvest ideas, action points and proposals on how to combat irregular migration through training. At the end of the project, an action plan would be developed to promote communication, creative design, media, innovation, entrepreneurship, and skills training opportunities for youths, and offer alternatives to irregular migration. The joint response would create a civic platform to combat irregular migration from The Gambia to Europe.
We're excited to announce that Mustapha Ceesay has been appointed as new Quality Assurance Officer of MAJaC. He will work with the management in maintaining standards and quality, utilizing and developing new quality assurance tools and mechanism, curriculum development and review, recruitment, promotion, examination and evaluation as per NAQAA requirement and various quality assurance policies. “I'm glad to be appointed as the Internal Quality Officer at MAJaC. This will help to strengthen the institute's quest to mould its students into quality journalists and effective communicators for the socioeconomic advancement of The Gambia”, Ceesay stated. Added to his new role, he is journalism trainer at the academy. Mustapha is a former MAJaC student and obtained an Advanced Diploma in journalism and communication. Upon graduation, he served as a reporter and then editor in various newsrooms in the country.Mustapha is the Banjul correspondent for the Ethiopia based media group, The African Time. With his experience and deep commitment to excellence, we're confident that he'll help us continue to provide the quality education to our students.
We are currently accepting applications for our Foundation and Certificate programs. Interested applicants for the Certificate program should have at least 4 WASSCE credits; a credit in English is a MUST or at least two years experience in journalism. Those interested in the Foundation program MUST have 3 WASSCE credits including English and or at least a year experience in journalism. Interested individuals can obtain application forms at the school premises in Bakau Newtown, South for a non-refundable fee of D300. Students interested to continue to the Diploma and Advanced Diploma levels can pick up a continuation form at the school. We offer a combination of theory and practical training in print, radio, web, TV and digital media. Applications must be submitted to the school on or before the 20th of June, 2033, at 4:00pm. If you have the passion to become a journalist, MAJaC is the perfect place for you. For more information, contact us at 3725053/ 7743501 or email majacgm@gmail.com
MAJaC in collaboration with Freedom house through USAID today launched a six-week intensive training on ethical and responsible reporting for 20 Journalists and journalism students. The training is meant to help participants with the needed knowledge, skills, experience and right attitude to report on complex and sensitive issues in a fair, accurate, and responsible manner. The training covers a range of topics, including Ethics, conflict of interest, sourcing, sensationalism and speed, social media photo and video ethics among others. Sang Mendy, The Managing Director of MAJaC says the training is an important step in promoting ethical standards and provide accurate and unbiased reporting for journalists. He urges the participants to take the training serious. “We can make this profession a respected and a noble one if we behave ethically and responsibly. This is what Freedom house and USAID has committed itself to supporting you to acquire the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to work as a respected journalist”. Sang Mendy, representative of the Freedom house, says they are committed to strengthening media development through the support of USAID. He stressed the need for building the capacity of Journalists. “The training is part of our five-year mandate to rollout ethical reporting trainings for journalists. Aside that, we are conducting an investigative reporting fellowship with Malagen, all geared towards developing the capacity of journalists”. This is the second time MAJaC and Freedom House partnered to build the capacity of journalists in ethical reporting. The training will help participants to report accurately thereby preventing the spread of false news and misinformation.
Malagen, the leading investigative reporting media, today launched a 100-page investigative Magazine. The magazine features all of Malagen’s works which aims to promote social justice. Malagen recognizes the work of MAJaC former and current, among them Adama Joof, Momodou Janneh, Banna Sabally, Kebba Jeffang, and Dija Jawo, who have contributed to its growth. Malagen in partnership with Freedom House also launched an investigative journalism fellowship in the Gambia. The fellows aims to build the capacity of journalists and journalism students among them MAJaC students in investigative reporting. Malagen’s launch of its investigative magazine and fellowship in the Gambia marks a rebirth of investigative journalism in the country.
The Media Academy for Journalism and Communication and the Gambia Press Union on Friday, 28th April 2023 sign a Memorandum Of Understanding. The MOU is intended to promote cooperation between GPU and MAJaC, so the two can complement each other’s work, avoiding duplication and competition. The areas of cooperation includes but not limited to professional training of journalists, media workers and communication practitioners. The two organisations share goals for media sector development and professionalisation of the media and communication sector.
Pro5 Studios is a startup business established by 5 young enthusiastic Gambians. They are part of the first cohort of a film and photography course run by MAJaC. The course that lasted nine months was supported by International Trade Center through Youth Empowerment Project.Susan Njie, one of the members of Pro5 Studios told MAJaC Media that the skills they've acquired ignited their interest to create the startup. She added that they acquired the right skills to produce professional video and photography.“The film and photography course has shaped us a lot, The course enable us to creatively tell stories through the lenses and granted us the confidence to be self employed. We are indeed grateful to the International Trade Centre, through the Youth Empowerment Project and MAJaC for this wonderful opportunity. We look forward to creating job opportunities by transferring the acquired skills to others.”Contact them for all your Eid pictures, birthdays, weddings and other events.
It’s with profound sadness we write to announce that our Administrative Officer, Binta Bah will be leaving MAJaC effective 30th April, 2023 to pursue new challenges. Binta has been working with us for the past five years and has contributed immensely to the development and growth of MAJaC. She enrolled at MAJaC in 2017 and completed the Advanced Diploma in 2019, graduating as the best Digital Media Student. After completing her studies, She served as an assistant Digital Media trainer. She completed a 6 month internship training as an Admin Assistant and later promoted to the position of Administrative Officer. Throughout her stay at MAJaC, Binta demonstrated unwavering commitment and dedication to her work. She built strong relationships with both students and staff, and her contribution will greatly be missed. We are grateful for her contibutions, and on behalf of the board , management, staff and students of MAJaC, we wish her all the best in her future endeavour.
