In the past, journalism education at the state-run University of Liberia has faced significant challenges due to an outdated curriculum and a critical shortage of modern learning equipment. These issues have hindered the development of competent media professionals, impacting the overall quality of journalism in the country.
The Department of Media Studies and Communication at the University of Liberia (UL) has operated with a curriculum that does not keep pace with the rapidly evolving media landscape. Traditional courses, which focused heavily on print journalism, failed to incorporate crucial elements such as digital media, multimedia storytelling, and data journalism resulting in a gap that has left students ill-prepared for the demands of contemporary journalism, where proficiency in digital tools and platforms is essential.
Euriahs Togar, Head of the Department, acknowledged the limitations posed by the outdated curriculum. “Our students were missing out on critical skills needed in today’s media industry. Without exposure to digital journalism and modern media practices, they might be disadvantaged in the job market,” he explained.
Compounding the issue of an obsolete curriculum was the severe lack of up-to-date learning equipment. The department struggled with limited resources, relying on old and often malfunctioning equipment. This situation severely restricted students’ ability to engage in hands-on training and practical exercises, which are vital components of journalism education.
To help tackle this situation and improve the learning environment for students, Internews Liberia donated state-of-the-art journalism equipment to the Department of Media Studies and Communication as part of institutional capacity-building support to the University. This donation aims to enhance the practical training of aspiring journalists and media professionals, equipping them with the tools necessary for high-quality reporting and media production.
At the handover ceremony, Euriahs Togar, Head of the Department of Media Studies and Communication, expressed gratitude for the timely support. “This donation is a game-changer for our department. It will provide our students with the opportunity to learn using industry-standard equipment, thereby enhancing their skills and preparing them for the demands of the media landscape,” he said.
“This donation is a game-changer for our department. It will provide our students with the opportunity to learn using industry-standard equipment, thereby enhancing their skills and preparing them for the demands of the media landscape.”
The donation of digital journalism equipment will further support the utilization of the newly introduced photojournalism curriculum. In 2023, an Internews multimedia expert worked with the UL Media Studies Department to develop a more contemporary photojournalism curriculum designed to be taught in theory and practice. This was a result of Internews’ engagement with the university the previous year, aimed at thoroughly reviewing its journalism curriculum to align with contemporary journalism education and emerging technologies The new photojournalism curriculum encompasses many topics, including the fundamentals of photography, photo editing techniques, ethical considerations in photojournalism, and the role of visuals in storytelling.
Students will also be able to engage in practical training, and gain hands-on experience in capturing and documenting news events.
The efforts to modernize journalism education at the University of Liberia is a significant step forward. However, sustained support and continuous updates to the curriculum and resources are essential to ensure that the program remains relevant and effective. Internews Liberia believes that investing in the education and training of young journalists will create a stronger convergence between journalism practice and academia.
Jefferson Massah is the Senior Advisor of USAID Liberia Media Activity Project Implemented by Internews in Liberia.