Editorial

Once journalists have returned to their home countries, the teammates will work separately, one on each continent. But they will stay connected via e-mail, blogs, and video conferencing (eg Skype). During this period they will define the key elements of their joint project and work on their production plan. Electronic communications will enable intercontinental coaching by professional trainers from DWA, PI and EJC. This will be showcased on the website, drawing web surfers while launching the participative forum.

After two to three months of preparation, each team’s project will enter production. European journalists will fly to the various African countries to join their teammates. On-the-spot reporting can now begin with a full equipment brought from Europe. Over the course of 10 days, African-European teams will convert their ideas and scripts into video pictures, sound bites and texts. They will produce audiovisuals, radio chronicles and documentaries. The African journalists’ local knowledge and networks will be key to defining and developing all the stories.

After the reporting phase in Africa, E4S journalists will meet at the Deutsche Welle Akademie in Germany. Teams will spend a week together to finish their media projects. This phase starts with a professional training course run by audiovisual experts from DWA, PI and EJC. Journalists will work on various media and platforms, mastering radio, television, Internet and print techniques. After returning to their home countries, the E4S journalists will promote and distribute their final productions through their local, regional and national media.