PHOTO: (L-R): Facilitators and participants
The Grand Bassa Community College (GBCC) over the weekend concluded a 14- week Broadcast Journalism Certificate program for 15 community radio broadcasters from Rivercess and Grand Bassa Counties.
The workshop was attended by reporters from Radio Gbenzon, LACSA Radio, Jubilee Radio, and River Cess Broadcasting Corporation. The college said all community radio stations in Grand Bassa were invited but others did not turn out.
At the climax, two long serving newsroom managers, Jacob N.B. Parley and William Selmah made presentations on Newsroom Management and Media Law & Ethics courses from a practical perspective, respectively.
The college sponsored the training program at no cost to the beneficiaries.
At the same time, the Vice President for Institutional Development of Grand Bassa Community College, Josiah Gayman, at the close of training said that the college is embarking on several community and academic improvement programs, one of which is to improve the skills and effectiveness of community radio reporters as conveyors of development in their respective communities.
Mr. Gayman, deputizing for the President of the Grand Bassa Community College, Dr. Samuel Monwell, said the College has secured several scholarships from Florida, USA to benefit students studying Mass Communication and Education.
“Thanks to Mr.Jerome Gayman whom the college named as its Ambassador in the USA for the links,” Josiah said.
He also informed the community radio reporters that the college is being elevated to a bachelor degree granting institution.
He named the establishment of a campus radio as the voice of education and transformation for the people of Grand Bassa County.
Meanwhile, a son of Grand Bassa County who has acquired multiple skills and education in Journalism, Education and Project Management offered his services in less than 10 months to help the college setup the training program and the radio station. George Stewart, worked for the former Ducor Broadcasting Corporation, Love FM, United Methodist Radio.
He’s spent more than a decade in nonprofit project proposal development and management.
In the wake of all the highlighted development at the community college, accessibility still remains a challenge.
The broken bridge separating Buchanan from the college still prevents vehicles from entering the campus.
If certified by the government, the campus radio is to strengthen public information system in the county, and as well promote education as an eye opener for young people in Grand Bassa County, said Stewart who is the technical hand behind the innovative efforts.