China trains journalists on new media

A group of journalists and media officials from Africa, Asia and Oceanic developing countries are attending a three-week training on new media in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China.

The training has been sponsored by the Chinese government under the International Cooperation Department of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) and will see representatives being introduced to new media technologies.

Speaking when opening the training the department’s deputy director general, Yan Chengsheng, said the training aims at developing the multimedia sector of the developing world.

He said: “The rapid development of technology has brought rapid changes to traditional media. These changes, just like opportunities presented, need to be fully embraced by all countries, especially those developing.

“We, therefore, want to build communication platforms of developing countries by being as pragmatic as possible.”

A representative of the group, Eunice Andrade from Mozambique, said the training will give participants better understanding of China.

She said: “There have been several developmental and technological changes across the world. China is number one in terms of technology. We will surely learn more and take the knowledge to our respective countries which, I must say, most of them are embracing the digitisation of the media.”

The training will see participants being introduced to the Chinese media and film industry, among others, with lectures and visits to Xinhua News Agency, Star Times newspaper, China Radio International and China Network Television, a new media technology of CCTV.

Participants will also visit Nanjing City where they will tour a digital publication base, Times Media, to learn about the integration and development of traditional and new media.

By December 2015, 2 353 participants from 143 countries have attended media related trainings by SAPPRFT. n