Ithmar trainees hone media skills by interviewing SIBF attendees

SHARJAH, 10th November, 2021 (WAM) — Twenty graduates of the Ithmar training programme honed their media skills by conducting interviews with the participants and visitors to the 40th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF).

The Ithmar media training programme is conducted every year by the Sharjah Press Club (SPC), a Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) initiative.

In their interviews, which will be broadcast on the social media accounts of the Sharjah Press Club and the YouTube channel of the SGMB, the Ithmar media trainees, like true professionals, interacted with the SIBF’s visitors and participants from around the world, posing several questions.

The questions covered issues such as their experience of participating in the SIBF, now the largest in the world, its importance as one of the leading global cultural events, and their impressions about Sharjah, the Cultural Capital of the Arab and Islamic world. The visitors were also asked about the books they were keen to acquire, the role of reading in shaping awareness and positive thoughts in all segments of society, especially among young people, and their advice for the new generation.

Asma Al Juwaied, Manager of the Sharjah Press Club, stated that the Ithmar training programme stems from the priority and importance accorded to young people by the Emirate of Sharjah under the directives of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to build and develop creative skills and cognitive abilities of future generations, guiding their professional journey into various sectors, including media.

The keenness of the students participating in Ithmar reflects the new generation’s passion for media. It is important to invest in this passion and consolidate the concepts of media education in them, especially in the digital age, she noted and stressed the need to employ modern media tools to benefit young people and society.

Over the past three years the SPC has managed to build the basic journalistic and media skills of 60 male and young female Emiratis, including the skills needed for print and visual media and the techniques of using social media platforms for mobile journalism, Al Juwaied said.

The SPC launched the Ithmar media training programme in 2019 to consolidate media awareness and concepts of journalistic work in young people, from 10 to 17 years old. The annual training plan includes professional workshops, interactive theoretical and practical training, and field visits to media institutions.