UNESCO has published a handbook for journalists of developing countries on the use of Internet for journalistic purposes. The handbook — The Net for Journalists — has been published in collaboration with the Thomson Foundation and Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA).
An important feature of the handbook is that it does not only tell where and how to get the information one needs, but also how to evaluate and verify the information gathered. In short, it keeps the tradition of journalism of verification.This training handbook, written by journalist-trainer Martin Huckerby, is a resource (with a printed manual and a CD) designed for both print and broadcast journalists and journalism students in developing countries around the globe. The accompanying CD contains some software, other extra resources and lesson plans for trainers.
The Internet is a multi-functional tool which plays a vital role in today's reporting and editing, and this toolkit provides a step-by-step guide to understanding and utilising its many and varied aspects, a UNESCO release said. The handbook aims to provide journalists, especially from developing countries, with some practical skills in exploring and exploiting the Net for day-to-day journalistic assignments.
It teaches how to search the net more effectively and efficiently, not only for facts and figures, but also for images, audio and video.
An important feature of the handbook is that it does not only tell where and how to get the information one needs, but also how to evaluate and verify the information gathered. In short, it keeps the tradition of journalism of verification.
The handbook will definitely contribute to achieving UNESCO's mandate in promoting a free and pluralistic media, ensuring universal access to information and knowledge, and mobilising the use of communication media for human development.
A PDF version of the handbook can be download from here.
