The Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC) recently concluded a three day retreat at the FIFA Gold Project in Yundum. The purpose of the retreat was to review and update the Institution’s policy documents with the aim to enhancing quality service delivery. Essa Sowe, Member of the MAJaC Board of Directors said the purpose of the retreat was to produce a functional definition of quality in terms of guaranteeing improved learner outcome. He pointed out that this is one way of fulfilling the requirements of the International Standard Organization (ISO) 9001 of 2015 and National Accreditation & Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA). Sowe stated that “allowing Staff for instance to review instruments that govern their conduct is the fairest way of engaging people. It increases the Staff sense of belonging and ownership.” Barrister Musa Barrow, a Trainer of Media Law & Ethics and International Human Rights at MAJaC said the retreat was successful as many documents were revived with the aim of uplifting them. He said such documents are significant for the effective running of an institution. "In anything you want to do as an institution, you have to possess the policy framework to be able to do that. With the policy framework, you're in a position to deliver the quality performance that you desired for,” he said. Mass Faye, Registration & Accreditation Officer at National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority, who was invited to present on NAQAA's requirements commended MAJaC for organising a retreat in a bid to improve standards. He said quality assurance is significant in improving and enriching an institution’s curriculum as well as addressing industry needs and gaps. He stated that quality assurance also ensures the availability of qualified trainers who can competently handle their subject areas. “When prescribed standards are met in our procedures, and systems, and processes, we say there is quality in them”, he noted. The NAQAA Registration & Accreditation Officer said quality looks at a range of issues which include human resources, governance, and the delivery of the programmes. Sang Mendy, Managing Director of MAJaC, in his closing remarks thanked Board members and staff for their show of commitment to improving quality at MAJaC. Among the documents reviewed are; Quality Policy, Quality Management System, Quality Management Indicator, Conditions of Service, and Trainer Observation Checklist among others.
Just as the scorpions of The Gambia are making history, past and current students of the Media Academy for Journalism and Communication are also shinning in Cameroon. The Gambia is participating in the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in the country's history. This is the same for many of the sports journalists from the tiny West African country. About a dozen journalists from The Gambia are currently in Cameroon. Five of these are past and current students of MAJaC. While the scorpions continues to sting on the pitch, MAJaC students on the ground are keeping Gambians home and abroad up to date with all the happenings in the Afcon. Amadou Tamba, a Diploma student at the Academy and a sports journalist for one of the biggest radio station in The Gambia, Capital FM said, he is making good use of the knowledge and skills gained at the Academy at the AFCON. He said since he joined MAJaC his production, writing skills as well as his confidence and analytical skills improved immensely. He added that he is also a lot more confident to interact with colleagues from other countries. "We meet a lot of journalist from Africa so the interactions is a key component here. I learnt a lot at MAJac. I have no problems speaking in the midst of other journalists from Africa and other parts of the world thanks to the confidence MAJaC trainers put in me," Tamba said. Dawda Baldeh, a certificate student working for a renowned online platform, The Fatu Network said his studies at MaJaC did not only helped him in his coverage of the Afcon but in his career as well. "When I was joining the media, I had little experience but since I joined MAJaC, I have improved drastically.” Baldeh said the quality of studies at MAJaC is high enough to prepare anyone for any journalistic tasks. "Right now I can say I am not afraid to be assigned for any form of coverage. Because I know the kind of training I got from MAJaC," he added. Sally Jeng the only female among the five is an Advanced Diploma student. Sally said her studies at MAJaC is what make her who she is today. She said she remembered how she struggled as a reporter and how that has changed since she joined MAJaC. Sally is filing stories for an international media, Radio France International. She is one of the few Gambian journalists filing stories for an international medium. Click to read her stories: https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20220125-dream-on-gambia-s-scorpions-bask-in-glory-of-reaching-cup-of-nations-last-eight https://www.rfi.fr/en/sports/20220117-scorpions-sting-gambia-s-afcon-hopes-still-alive-following-draw-against-mali https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20220119-gambia-s-top-forward-babucarr-trawally-leaves-africa-cup-of-nations-afcon-under-controversy-football The trio advice young journalist from MAJaC urged students at the same academy to take their professional training seriously. They all said studying at MAJaC can be challenging because the trainers there prepare students for the rigours of the newsroom. Momodou S Jallow and Uthman Jeng both of whom are former students of the Academy are also currently in Cameroon delivering topnotch reports and photographs respectively for their media.
MAJaC is conducting a five week training on ethical reporting for journalists funded by Freedom House. The training would commence on 4th May to June 4, 2022. Interested persons can click on the link below and fill out the form to apply. Deadline for application is April 22nd 2022. Application Form
The managing director of the Managing Director of the Media Academy for Journalism and Communication-MAJaC, Mr Sang Mendy, is currently in London, England to attend the Chevening Africa Media Freedom Fellowship (CAMFF) programme. Sang is among the first two Gambians to have been selected for such prestigious fellowship programme. Sang and 22 others from Africa will spend eight weeks in London looking at studying areas such as freedom of speech, economic prosperity and good governance. The programme will also focus on professional development of the values of good journalism and how to make journalism more effective to enhance reach and impact. Hosted by the University of Westminster and funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office the eight-week programme is designed and implemented for mid-career journalists, media regulators, journalism educators and communication professionals from Africa with demonstrable leadership skills in their fields of expertise. The 23 participants from two cohorts (2020/2021) are drawn from 11 Sub-Saharan African countries including The Gambia, South Africa, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Malawi, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Burundi, South Sudan and Zimbabwe. In the next two months, the Chevening fellows will undertake vigorous exchange of evidence-based policy debates, share practical experience, attend seminars and deliver talks on international issues as well as embark on fieldwork and research work. Mr Mendy and Camara are expected back in the Gambia in July upon completion of the programme.