Turkish universities trailblaze child rights syllabus for journalists
More countries expected to follow Turkey’s lead in a bid to promote responsible news reporting on child rights ISTANBUL, Turkey - February 10, 2009 - Five Turkish universities are leading the way in European journalism studies by introducing a new child rights syllabus into their degrees. The syllabus, promoted by UNICEF, has been created, written and designed by the Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland. UNICEF Central and Eastern Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States Regional Director, Maria Calivis, said: “This syllabus will enable trainee journalists to understand the theories and practices that underpin responsible news reporting; news reporting that raises awareness of the fundamental importance of child rights and challenges those who are responsible for upholding them.” Teaching of the syllabus is scheduled to start in September this year following a series of seminars between senior representatives of the five Turkish universities and the creators of the syllabus, led by the Head of Research in the Faculty of Applied Arts at the Dublin Institute of Technology, Dr Brian O'Neill. The five Turkish universities involved in this project are: Istanbul University; Galatasaray University, Istanbul; Gazi University, Ankara University, Ankara; and Anadolu University, Eskisehir. Those studying the syllabus earn credit points recognized within European Union universities. Already, a second wave of universities in eastern European countries has expressed interest in teaching this syllabus and it is hoped the experiences gleaned in Turkey will further refine this exciting development in developing the ethics and standards of journalism. For more information, please contact:
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