Journalists from the print and electronic media, on Wednesday, concluded a two-day training on the use of internet in communication, funded by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO), at the YMCA Hall in Kanifing.

This training was organised by the Gambia National Commission for UNESCO.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Sukai Bojang, Secretary-General of NATCOM, said ISESCO, is committed to supporting member countries in capacity-building programmes in the fields of education: sciences, culture and communication. “In this country, the organisation has been especially supportive in the training of Arabic Islamic teachers and the fight against illiteracy. It has also provided support to the television services of GRTS in the procurement of equipment,” she revealed.

According to her, ISESCO, in its action plan for 2007 to 2009, will in addition to human resource development, focus on highlighting the Islamic civilisations’ active part in knowledge; redressing the image of Islam and Muslims in the West; afford the member states access to information and knowledge-based society, among others.

Mrs Bojang added that for the communication sector, ISESCO, will contribute towards bridging the digital divide. She expressed hope that journalists will at the end of the training become more proficient in their work, through the use of the internet.

Madi MK Ceesay, President of the Gambia Press Union (GPU), delivered a presentation on objective writing, responsible journalism, news gathering and advertising, while Mr Poncelet Ileleji, Director of IT and Digital Studio at YMCA, lectured on the use of internet in information dissemination.

Yahya Al - Matarr Jobe, Programme Officer for Education and Science at NATCOM, who delivered a statement at the end of the training, said the training will help improve the level of professionalism of journalists in The Gambia.

Certificates of participation were presented to the participants, at the end of the training.

Awa Gaye, a journalist at Radio 1FM, delivered the vote of thanks.