Journalism Club: the journalists of the future rooted in the practice of the written press

With the support of the CEPID, the Journalism Club of the University of Burundi held its second training session, gathering a large number of motivated students. On the program : the key concepts for writing a newspaper article and a simulation of a press conference to move from theory to practice.

The student members of the club participated in large number, proof of their motivation to master the fundamentals of journalism.

The activities of the Club of Journalism from the University of Burundi is continued in an atmosphere of studious and dynamic, the campus Mutanga Saturday, may 17, 2025. It was the second training session organised in the framework of the program of initiation to the journalism students, members of the club. Once again, these have been present in large numbers, reflecting their interest in strengthening their skills in the field of the press.

The session of the day was focused on the same module as in the first session : "Introduction to print media ". However, the concepts discussed were more advanced in the understanding of the basics of the craft. Two main themes have structured the discussion : the choice of the subject and the angle of an article, as well as the general structure of a newspaper article and writing techniques.

Hosted by Gilbert Nkurunziza, a journalist and a teacher sent by the Centre for the Promotion of Information and Development (CEPID), the session allowed the students to consolidate their theoretical bases while confronting them with practical exercises. Particular attention has been paid to the distinction between the subject and the angle, a key concept in the construction of an article. As noted by the facilitator, a subject may give rise to multiple angles. The choice of the angle to treat depends on several criteria, including the appropriateness, accuracy, and the interest that it may raise among readers.

The exchanges were rich and interactive. The participants did not hesitate to ask questions, to express their views or share their experiences. Thus, they have better understood the need for a reporter, the preparation of the work in advance. This preparation includes the drafting of a structured questionnaire before conducting an interview. The goal is to avoid oversights, to better frame the meeting with the contact person and draw a maximum of useful information for the writing of the article.

A press conference simulated

To put these concepts into practice together, the members of the club participated in a real-life simulation. After you have chosen a topic and an angle to deal with, they have organized a press conference fictitious. Several students have played the role of resource persons,"disguised"for the occasion, in order to create a context in which a credible and exciting. The other participants, in the skin of journalists, recorded sound elements and asked questions as in a professional setting real.

A simulation of a press conference was organized. Some students played the role of resource persons, while others, in the posture of journalists, conducting interviews and recorded sounds evec their smartphones.

At the end of this hands-on activity, each member of the Journalism Club is invited to write a newspaper article about 650 words, based on the information gathered during the simulation. They have a time limit of five days to submit their written production. The articles will then be reviewed, commented on and re-worked collectively in the next sessions.

This approach to learning, combining theory and implementation in a concrete situation, is designed to provide students with a first immersion in the world demanding of journalism. The CEPID is committed to contribute actively to the ongoing professionalization of the members of the Journalism Club, and the promotion of quality journalism at the University of Burundi.