MDI to graduate over 20 journalists

At least 23 journalism students are set to graduate from the Media Development Institute (MDI) today.

This marks the 4^th batch of students to graduate from the institute.

In a press release seen by The City Review, Ms Ayaa Irene, the Principal of MDI, said there are about 23 students that the institute will pass out today in Juba.

Ms Irene applauded the students for being strong and persistent amidst the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The 23 students who are set to graduate are carefully groomed and prepared to join the media industry to provide professional journalism work.

We are aware of the need to promote professional and ethical journalism in South Sudan. For that matter, the trainers and administration of the institute have left no stone unturned to ensure that our graduates meet the professional standards of journalism practice in the country, ” she stated.

She said MDI is the training wing of the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS), established in 2014. She added that it is a national media training institute to strengthen the capacity of journalists through training and to develop media professionalism, including the improvement of ethical standards, in the country.

According to Ayaa, the training is a one-year course leading to an award of an advanced certificate in journalism.

The training is both theoretical and practical.

“So far, MDI has graduated 109 journalists, many of whom are doing very well in the media sector. Some have progressed to the level of editors and managers of the various media houses. “

She added in the statement that: “On this occasion, the institute will graduate a total of 23 journalists, out of which, six are females.” This is a cohort of 2020/2021 that got enrolled in October 2020 through very competitive processes.

‘‘The total number of students enrolled in this cohort was 29, of which seven were females. Unfortunately, some dropped out for different reasons.”