Google, UNESCO to support 100 journalism training institutions in Africa
Google has launched the Global Initiative for Excellence in Journalism Education to enhance journalists’ training in 100 journalism institutions in Africa.
Matt Brittin, President for EMEA Business and Operations, Google made this known at the ongoing inaugural Google News Initiative (GNI) for Africa virtual event.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the GNI for Africa virtual events started on Monday, Oct. 25 and will run through to Friday, Oct. 29.
Brittin said that the initiative to support journalism training would be rolled out over the next 18 months and is being implemented in partnership with UNESCO.
He said that the journalism training is aimed at updating journalism education programmes in over 100 journalism institutions in Africa.
“The pandemic has changed the way people interact with news and accelerated that shift to digital.
“There has never been a time when access to good quality journalism has been more important, this programme will seek to establish, define, and implement the local definitions of excellence in journalism.
‘’We will work with the 100 different journalism schools targeting to benefit over 4,000 journalists,’’ he said.
READ ALSO: Resistant anti-coup protesters block roads in Sudan
He said that Google is increasing its investment in and support of journalism in Africa, including a News Lab Teaching Fellow who provides locally relevant training for journalists in Southern Africa.
