DCMF kicks off social media training in Qatar

The Doha Centre for Media Freedom (DCMF) has launched a training workshop under the theme

	Miles Masterson Iwas pleasantly surprised to find just how much the workshop was highly informative, not only from utilising lesser known aspects of popular social media such as Facebook and Twitter, to finding out more about YouTube etc. But it was also useful for journalists in terms of how these media tools can contribute to finding leads and sources, staying connected to people and what is going on.
	Sindhu Nair I enjoyed the three-day's workshop. It gave us an insight on how best we could leverage the social media to benefit from it especially in the context of our profession. I hope to take part in more such workshops from you.
	Erika Widen The workshop was highly beneficial. I learnt basic tips from the workshop which I will definitely implement in both my private accounts and work one. also through the workshop I learnt the reason behind changes in Facebook layout and how those changes are made for our own benefit.
	Noimot Olayiwola The workshop was a good one it brought me back to the world of social networking. Thanks to the Doha Media Centre for Media Freedom for organising the workshop, I am really looking out for a similar and more advanced training in the future.

"Journalists and Social Media" for journalists working in English-language media outlets in Qatar.

Fourteen journalists from various media institutions, including the three English dailies in Qatar, (Gulf Times, The Peninsula, Qatar Tribune), Qatar News Agency, Islam Web, and the Edge magazine, are taking part in the three-day workshop which kicked off on Monday January 9, 2012.

The workshop, which is led by Omar Chatriwala, editor of Doha News website and teacher at Northwestern University, aims at training journalists on how to use platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to enhance their work and tell their stories better.

It also explains the importance of social media in modern journalism and lists the opportunities and limitations of these tools.

In an address at the opening session, Jan Keulen, DCMF director general, briefed the participants on efforts exerted by the centre to serve journalists.

"At DCMF we try to contribute to raise awareness of the lack of protection and the lack of safety of journalists in many ways. We have an assistance programme to help journalists who are in trouble because of their job,” Keulen said.

“There is a connection between press freedom and the level of professionalism. DCMF’s message to you is: do not be fearful. Try to be as good journalists as you can and I think using social media may broaden the scope of press freedom in Qatar.”

Keulen said 2011 was a bad year for journalists and for press freedom.

“Year 2011 was a very bad year for journalists, at least 111 journalists were killed in 2011 while performing their duty and many more were intimidated , imprisoned, or injured. We have a very dangerous job.”

In return, Chatriwala highlighted the importance of social media tools in professional journalism.

“These tools have a lot to offer and can really benefit them in terms of news gathering, finding sources, staying on top of news and information as it is developed,” he told DCMF.

“The goal of this workshop is to enable journalists to have the skills and abilities to use such tools in a professional journalistic way.”