Wesam Afifa: Gazan journalists needs practical training

Editor in chief of Gaza-based Palestinian newspaper al-Resalah, Wesam Afifa has emphasised the importance of methodological training for media professional, adding that are fears that developments in the media could leave Palestinian journalists behind. Afifa told Arab Today that the media is developing all the times, and journalists need to equip themselves for the digital age which revolves around new media and social networking. He said the training of media professionals in Gaza needs to be all-encompassing and multi-platform. He also proposed that media organisations hold regular sessions for their staff to update them about developments in journalism. Afifa said that all media training centres must make the most of internal and external experts to move with the times. The editor explained that most of the journalists working in Gaza are new graduates, who understand what their role entails. However, he urged media faculties to train individuals for the job market and not just the academic world. Afifa claimed that Gazan universities and specialised faculties must work together with media organisations to ease new graduates into the industry. Asked if there was a shortage of media training centres in Gaza, Afifa said that Palestinians need quality over quantity. "There are some training centres in Gaza which look to invest in students and develop them. Then there are others who are in it for themselves, for their own gain," he explained. The al-Resalah editor said that there was a shortage of professional editors, journalists, directors and sports reporters - even though this is what media organisations are experts in. He reiterated that practical and theoretical training needs to be the main aim. "We don't want to give media staff the same training they had at university. We need to be more practical in our approach," he asserted. Afifa the need for modern day journalists to think as international citizens, beyond regional and national structures. "The media's message has changed over time. Our media studies need to be all-encompassing," he stressed.