DCMF and Dhreima officials speaking to the media after signing the deal yesterday.
By Azmat Haroon
Doha: The Qatar Orphan Foundation (Dhreima) has tied up with Doha Centre for Media Freedom (DCMF) to train some 20 orphaned youth in journalism.
The agreement is part of the DCMF’s Media literacy programme, backed by Unesco. The programme started in 2011 at four schools but with the growing interest of students, the DCMF is now training some 250 students from 42 schools.
As part of their training, students from age eight to 15, attend workshops on media freedom, conduct interviews and work on independent stories for print and broadcast journalism. Some students also attend conferences, where they get hands-on experience in journalism.
“Media freedom is not only about expressing yourself freely. It is also important to seek information and to find out the truth. This is why media literacy needs to be a part of the education system so that the young generation knows how media works,” Jan Keulen, the director of DCMF, said.
He was speaking during the signing of the memorandum of understanding between DCMF and Dhreima to cooperate in the development of junior journalism and implementation of the media literacy programme yesterday.
Keulen, however, said that right now it is not possible incorporate the programme in the school curriculum. “Although we are not there yet, we are trying to work with the Supreme Education Council as well as the schools and students to make media literacy a part of the school curriculum here,” he said.
While answering a question about dealing with sensitive subjects, the director of DCMF said it is not for the centre to demarcate sensitive subjects for youngsters.
“Because we deal with students starting from age eight, it is not for us to tell them what the sensitive subjects are. Our job is to equip them with skills, so that when they grow up, they can judge for themselves what these sensitive issues are,” Keulen told reporters.
The understanding of press and media freedom, meanwhile, is a “basic requirement” for the young generation, Khalid Kamal, the Director of Dhreima, said.
“Since the inauguration of Dhreima in 2007, we are trying to provide best services to orphans, and through the Dhreima friends.
The Peninsula
