RAP 21 spoke to Judy Yablonky, an international media trainer and consultant, about the newly established Algerian Network of Journalism Trainers (Le Reseau des Formateurs de la Presse Algrienne).

"The network was set up to support continuing professional journalism training for Algerian newspaper journalists," says Yablonky.

It was created at the end of a three-part training programme in Algiers in September and October, which focused on investigative reporting, human rights, and training media trainers.

These sessions, conducted by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) under Freedom House auspices with USAID funds, effectively formed a "training pyramid" to diffuse information, documentation and techniques throughout the media. Two Algerian newspapers, El Khabar and El Watan, were local partners.

The training pyramid was effective: one consultant trained 10 local journalists in investigative journalism and training techniques; nine new trainers ran programmes for 70 local journalists at nine newspapers. Yablonky facilitated the in-house sessions as co-trainer, and critiqued the new trainers’ first session. Each new trainer planned five to 10 additional sessions.

In a final meeting held to review the initial in-house training sessions, the participants decided to create the new training network.

"The network is an informal association of journalists and newspapers. It is not a local NGO, and has no plans to register as one; it is not yet a formal professional association, only a loose collection of professionals with similar objectives," says Yablonky.

Yablonky highlights the significant need for such a network in Algeria: "Members of the network are willing to work as local coordinators and recruiters for future journalism training programmes in Algeria. There currently exists no other local structure to provide training to members of the media. The Conseil d’Ethique is inactive, and the journalists union is moribund. There are no publishers, editors, nor journalists professional associations," she says. The network is open to additional newspaper and representative journalist members.

The new network already has requested additional training programmes for Algerian newspapers and journalists. Members are particularly interested in elections coverage training in preparation for Algeria’s presidential elections scheduled for 2004. Additional training on economic reporting, sports reporting, local news coverage, and research on the Internet, as well as the organization of the editorial desk, also has been requested.

For more information on the training network, contact Mahmoud Belhimer via email, mouh68@hotmail.com