Moldovan school to focus on improving journalists knowledge

     During an interview with University of Georgia journalism students on Monday, Dr. Tudor Vlad said that the non-academic school for journalists was the focus of his recent trip to the Republic of Moldova.

     “We are trying to create short training programs where professional journalists can come and improve their knowledge,” said Dr. Vlad, the associate director of the James M. Cox Jr. Center for International Mass Communication Training and Research.

Dr. Tudor Vlad explains the plans for a non-
academic journalism school in Moldova.

      The first program, which will be held in May, will cover the impact of new technology on the media landscape in Moldova. This and future topics are designed based on input from local Moldovan partners to ensure relevancy for attendees.

     Publika, the only 24-hour news channel in Moldova and main partner of the school, and other media organization will also provide funding for the school.

     “The goal is not to create profit,” said Dr. Vlad. “The goal is to improve the quality of media coverage in the Republic of Maldova.”

     By receiving funding from local media, Vlad hopes to keep the prices for the training programs relatively low to increase accessibility to the programs.

     Dr. Vlad began training programs in Moldova in 2010, but it was just six months ago that the idea for the school developed. The name for the school, which is located in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, is still being worked out. The inauguration for the school will be held in May.