Closing of the module on the press : the members of the Journalism Club consolidate their learning

The journalism Club of the University of Burundi has ended, this Saturday, may 31, 2025, the training module dedicated to the written press. Through the last session that combines a critical analysis of the productions, and the practice of the report, the students were able to strengthen their writing skills with the support of the CEPID. A new step is now open, oriented towards the discovery of radio journalism.

The members of the Club have agreed to carry out a report on the Central Library of the University of Burundi in order to effectively implement the concepts learned.

As part of its continuing education program, the journalism Club of the University of Burundi held this Saturday, may 31, 2025, the last session of the module is devoted to the introduction to the written press. This meeting helped to strengthen the skills of the participants through the critical analysis of their productions and a deepening of the reporting techniques. It is part of the dynamic support of the student to the practice of journalism is rigorous, grounded in the requirements of the field.

Since the launch of this training cycle, the members of the Club meet every week in the premises of the University of Burundi, in order to benefit from guidance provided by professionals of the sector. For this last session, the journalist Gilbert Nkurunziza, sent by the Centre for the Promotion of Information and Development (CEPID), has led to exchanges around two key components : the collective evaluation of the articles written by the students and the introduction to the techniques of reportage.

Constructive criticism to make progress together

The first part of the session was devoted to a read-across of the articles produced during the previous workshop. Each student has seen his work examined according to an analysis grid built on the principles of clarity, precision, structure and ethics of journalism. The aim of this process was to promote a critical peer-to-peer, in a spirit of mutual assistance and continuous improvement.

Although the time available did not permit to travel all texts submitted, more than 70 % of the productions, have been the subject of a return detailed. This review collective has garnered a strong involvement of the participants and a general satisfaction, both in terms of technical inputs that the benevolent atmosphere exchanges.

The story at the heart of the practice of journalism

In a second step, the workshop addressed a genre of journalistic central but often demanding : the story. From a theoretical presentation and analysis of an article published in the journal Burundi Ecothe facilitator has highlighted the specificities of this year, including the importance of direct observation, the construction of narrative is immersive, and the ability to do " see "the facts to the reader.

Contrary to the article of classical information, the story engages both the rigor of the facts and a sensitivity to writing. He committed the journalist to immerse themselves in the real world to restore the shades, moods and emotions, while respecting the foundations of professional ethics.

A practical implementation on the ground

To enable participants to apply these lessons, an exercise has been proposed to : do a report on the Central Library of the University of Burundi. Each student will have to go there personally, to observe the attendance of the places, talk to the users and to analyze the impact of that space on the academic life.

A period of ten days has been granted for the submission of text, which will then be evaluated individually by the host to identify the achievements and areas for improvement.

A dynamic that continues

This session marks the end of the module is devoted to the written press, the first part of a larger program initiated by the CEPID. As soon as the next few weeks, the Club's activities will focus on the fundamentals of radio, thus opening a new cycle of training oriented towards the practice of radio journalism.

Since its inception, the Club Journalism from the University of Burundi has an active and regular members, a sign of the growing interest of students for the information profession. This dynamic is greeted by trainers/ facilitators, who see it as an encouraging sign for the future of the profession of journalism in Burundi.