RPS is supporting freedom of expression for journalists in Libya

Posted: 18/01/2016

18 January 2016 - RPS Partnership

Contact [email protected] for any queries about travel to the Middle East or North Africa. We provide advice, training and consultancy for any organisation working overseas in remote, difficult and hostile locations. Our experienced consultants can provide expert crisis management advice and training in the UK or overseas.

RPS has been working with the Institute of War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) and Chiron Resources to train Libyans to become trainers so they can return to their home country to train local journalists.

IWPR is supporting Libya during this difficult period of political transition through programming that reaches a broad array of media and civil society sector actors, women and young people.

Their ongoing projects include editorial skills training, security and first aid courses for frontline journalists, content production that gives communities a stronger voice in local issues, and mentoring university students who will become the first generation of post-revolution media professionals. This project is supported by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)

Our Training of Trainers (TOT) has been adapted from the Level 3 in Education and Training certificate in the UK and tailored to fit the capabilities and time availalbe for the local trainers. 

We have taught them the roles and responsibilities of a trainer; something which ensures that they are inclusive in their training despite different cultural nuances. We have taught learning styles and preferences as well as ensuring that they can include interesting and engaging teaching skills in their training sessions. Getting away from powerpoint and ensuring that other teaching techniques are included is always a challenge for new trainers.

"Checking learning" or assessment for learning is key to ensuring that trainnig is effective and their students or learners have taken in what they have learnt. We include the logistics of setting up a course in Libya where the power supply does not work all the time and where their "plan B" has to be ready at any time. Shooting in the street and suicide bombs may just interrupt their vital training.

The trainers are in the last few days now and will run their own one day security and first aid course on Wednesday. After this they will return to Libya and run security and first aid courses for student journalists at the Tripoli Media Lab, established under a grant from the FCO. The second lab, at Zawiya university, is expected to start work in December.

The labs provide facilities previously unavailable in Libya, teaching students and university faculty staff in fully functional TV and radio training studios. At least one more round of internships will take place before the end of the year. RPS is pleased to be supporting this vital project to assist Libya to support freedom of expression.

Contact [email protected] for any queries about travel to the Middle East or North Africa. We provide advice, training and consultancy for any organisation working overseas in remote, difficult and hostile locations. Our experienced consultants can provide expert crisis management advice and training in the UK or overseas.

Photo: RPS cvonsultants trainnig local trainers to work in Libya. Students giving excellent training sessions this week.

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