An OSCE-organized training course on digital journalism and multimedia instruments took place from 16 to 18 June 2021 in Ashgabat. The three-day event brought together journalists from the country’s leading print and online media. The purpose was to provide support in capacity building of staff of national newspapers involved in the digital transformation of print media.
“Last year the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat launched activities to render expert assistance in the process of transforming national media and converting print media into a digital format. This is envisaged in the Digital Economy Development Concept for Turkmenistan 2020–2025,” said William Leaf, Political Officer at the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.
“While media digitalization remains high on the agenda of Turkmenistan, the Centre initiated the development of a manual on digital journalism this year to further support the efforts of the host country in this important area and we stand ready to continue our partnership,” said Leaf.
He also noted that: “It is our hope that such training courses will equip journalists and newspaper personnel involved in the digitalization process of print media with multimedia instruments and the skills necessary to produce high quality online content.”
International experts from Poland and the Russian Federation elaborated on how to plan the work of journalists in the digital environment and create digital maps. Participants learnt how to diversify their materials by using small digital formats such as dialogues and tables and discussed new roles and processes in the digital newsroom.
Upon completion of the training course, the Centre organized a roundtable discussion with the participation of the editorial staff of newspapers to facilitate the exchange of best practices in transforming traditional editorial offices into convergent newsrooms.
The training course is part of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat activities to render expert assistance in the process of transforming national media and converting print media into digital format launched last year.
