The latest proposal we are working on is a Community Connections Program, funded by USAID, for print and broadcast reporters/editors covering economic news from Moldova. This program, called “Economic Reporting,” focuses on the role of free and independent media in encouraging transparency, demanding accountability, fighting corruption and creating a stable and healthy economy.

The program has the following goals and objectives:

1. to address basic and advanced elements of economic reporting, including interviewing techniques, ethics and codes of conduct.

2. to allow all participants to meet with American journalists specializing in investigative economic reporting; to visit private and public TV stations, radio stations, newspapers and magazines.

3. to allow participants to learn and understand a wide range of techniques for gathering information for in-depth business articles and investigations; to learn to use access-to-information legislation to acquire background information; to learn how to look behind the figures and make a good analysis of business and economic information.

The program will provide an opportunity for 10 economic reporters and editors to come together and learn the value of free and independent media. The group will meet with both reporters and businesses to see how the two interact effectively. They will understand the work of the economic departments in the national newspapers and specialized publications through site visits and seminars. Finally, they will see how a market economy is “checked” by economic journalists. With active participation in this program, the participants will leave Chicago equipped with new, different techniques for economic reporting; they will also have a better understanding of their roles as media professionals in the context of an emerging democracy.


 

Homestay Hosting

Thank you to our homestay hosts for this program. Our next program will be from Russia. Click here to sign up for this and/or future homestay opportunities.