Catholic Archdiocese of Monrovia launches youth media programme

The Catholic Archdiocese of Monrovia has launched a youth media programme to identify potential secondary school students that could be introduced to a career in journalism. The Archdiocese operates Radio Veritas, an FM radio station in Monrovia.

Speaking at the launch of the programme over the weekend at St. Kizito Parish in Paynesville, on the outskirts of Monrovia, Father Ambrose Dayouga Kroma said the Catholic Media Centre has recognised the urgency and importance of establishing a youth media education programme.

"This program, which we intend to go all across the country, is intended to identify potential students, who are interested in journalism in our school system to have them begin their practice from their campus based media clubs and liaising with Radio Veritas to plan and produce radio programmes that have direct impact on the environment, the economy, starting small businesses, agriculture, health, gender, issues relating to women and children, the vulnerable and elderly within our communities," he explained.

Father Kroma called on the Ministry of Education, as a matter of urgency, to introduce media studies within the national school curriculum beginning from the 7th to 12th grade. According to him, the idea behind teaching media studies in secondary schools is not solely to making students become journalists but noted that exposing students to many subjects would help them understand their surroundings.

Meanwhile, Deputy Education Minister for Administration, Aaron Weah, who also attended the launch, has promised that the suggestion from the Catholic Church will be taken to the ministry for possible consideration in the next revision of the national curriculum.

The launch of the youth media programme was characterised by intellectual debates among students from the Catholic school system and other private and public schools in and around Monrovia.

(By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor/Jonathan Browne, The New Dawn in Monrovia)

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