OSCE-supported Kosovo Media Institute to launch professional training programmes

When it opens this autumn, the Kosovo Media Institute, the only domestic mid-career training institution for Kosovo media, will help upgrade journalists' professional skills, standards and ethics. The Institute was established in 2005 in response to media representatives' requests.

"From then until now we have worked continuously to identify and rent appropriate premises, renovate them, purchase equipment, set up training rooms and hire staff," says Arben Hajredinaj, the OSCE Mission's Project Manager.

To guide the process, the OSCE also established a temporary multi-ethnic Institute Board which included Kosovo media representatives. It finished its work on 29 May, when the Institute was inaugurated and its permanent bodies elected.

Improving regional co-operation

At the Institute's General Assembly immediately following the inauguration, Acting Director Kelmend Hapciu said the Institute would work to improve communication among journalists in the region.

"We will support the participation of Kosovo journalists in regional and international associations and events, and we will try to develop links between local and international media professionals."

Luljeta Krasniqi, a journalist with KosovaLive news agency, says, "That will be very helpful, as it's not always easy to set up contacts with our colleagues in the region. I"m also really looking forward to developing my career further through more professional training at the Institute after the summer break."

Thematic training

The Institute will contribute to a free, pluralistic and independent media landscape by offering thematic training and courses for journalists' further professional development, says Hajredinaj. These will include TV and radio production, writing and photography for the print media and on-line editing. They will also cover different forms of journalism, from straight reporting to investigative work.

"Donors will no longer dictate the type of training to be offered," he says. "With the Kosovo Media Institute, the journalists and media managers will be able to request the training they need the most."

To avoid any potential overlap, the Institute will co-ordinate training efforts Kosovo-wide. It will also create an expertise database so that it can provide the required trainers and training programmes at its headquarters or in the field.

Although the main target groups for the Institute are practising journalists and editorial and technical staff, the Institute will also welcome and offer training to novices. This will particularly benefit university students who receive no practical training at journalism schools.

"The Institute now has separate training rooms for print, TV and radio journalism," says Hajredinaj. "These will be available to all interested parties."

Aiming for self-sustainability

The OSCE has invested some 125,000 euros in the Institute's equipment and premises over the past two years. It also plans to cover its operating costs for 2007.

Under the current partnership agreement, the European Agency for Reconstruction will finance the first two years of training programmes. In the long run, the Institute plans to become self-sustainable.

The Institute's main source of revenue will be membership fees paid by media outlets that are Institute members. These members also make up the Institute's managing and oversight bodies, including a Board, an Assembly, a Secretariat and an Office of the Director. The Institute will also engage in commercial activities such as radio and TV production.

To keep costs down, the Institute will initially offer courses to train local trainers. "The aim is to create a group of core domestic media who will then work alongside international trainers who will be invited to provide their specific expertise," says Ylfete Osmani, an Institute staff member and activities co-ordinator.

"Because the Institute plans to become self-sustainable in future, it is important for us to have local trainers as it will be more financially viable to cover their costs."