Friday, 26 September 2014

Journalism lecturers: "We need More skills on internet use"

Tanzania Journalism lecturers have pointed out the need for learning more skills on the use of the internet and other related cyber techniques at this digital age.

Speaking at the end of the three-day training on the use of the internet to journalism lecturers, participants have admitted that, to be always up to date, journalists need always to be equipped with online and internet skills so that they can do their tasks properly.

This training has been very useful to these journalism lecturers as far as the topics covered in the course of the seminar such as skills on searching, verifying facts, creating and managing blogs are concerned.

Importantly, the training has been very practical in a way that participants were able to create their own blogs, get use of different links and data and facts found on the internet.

A Unique one in the Continent: The Smart Kigali Initiative

Rwanda Capital, Kigali, has launched 'The Smart Kigali initiative' which allows residents to access free wireless internet connectivity at designated places.

The initiative is the result of a partnership between government agencies the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA) and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), as well as the Rwanda Hotel and Restaurant Association, the City of Kigali and internet service providers (ISPs).

Jubilant primary school pupils using internet connected laptops in Kigali, Rwanda

The Initiative is aimed at provision of free broadband Wi-Fi Internet access in public places that include commercial buildings, Bus Stations, Airport, in public transport buses and cabs; Improving Internet connectivity and access in Hotels and restaurants; establishing online automated navigation system for direction using the newly implemented street and home addressing information system; Introducing automated ticketing and taxi meters in public transport; and electronic payments systems to improve financial services.

The Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana hails this initiative which will contribute in delivering better services; he stressed that high speed internet connection is very useful; “We want broadband Internet accessibility to be a basic need for everyone where people can be able to access information anytime and this will speed up the country’s development where citizens can also get various services online,” noted Minister Nsengimana.

he Mayor of the City of Kigali Fidele Ndayisaba pointed out that, “This is yet another step in advancing the use of ICT in our city and it will enhance service delivery, access to information for the city residents”.
Mayor Ndayisaba also emphasized that, “High speed internet connection and easy access will also make the visitors’ experience in Kigali more enjoyable”. He added that the City of Kigali is committed to the use of ICT for a better City.

To start with, free Wi-Fi in public places will be provided at Union Trade Center, Kigali City Tower, Kigali City Market, MTN Center, Nyabugogo Bus Park, Remera-Kisementi, Stade Amahoro, Kigali Public Library, Kanombe International Airport, KBC, Kacyiru Ministere, KIST and KIE. Internet connectivity at these sites will be powered by BSC Ltd, MTN Rwanda, TIGO Rwanda Ltd, AIRTEL, LIQUID Telecom and ISPA.

Automated taxi meters have also been installed in some taxicabs showing the fare to be charged for a trip. The automated taxi meters will protect both drivers and passengers from fare-based conflicts.

To improve financial services, the Electronic Payments Systems has been enhanced to promote efficient use of existing payments systems such as ATM’s VISA cards and others that facilitate electronic transactions.


Depending on where residents of Kigali are walking, riding through or lurking — they may be lucky enough to benefit from the city’s new tech initiative. According to The New Times, the program launched September 20 grants free wi-fi access to those in areas including restaurants, King Faisa hospital, Nyabugogo Taxi Park, commercial buildings and public buses.
Part of the ‘Smart Kigali’ initiative aims to allow visitors and tourists easy access to city landmarks and mapping while being able to utilize convenience services on the web. Collectively, internet providers Tigo and Airtel, the City of Kigali, the Rwanda Development Board and the Rwanda
- See more at: http://afkinsider.com/22636/rwanda-smart-kigali-initative-provides-free-internet-throughout-city/#sthash.b1v3ILbo.dpuf
Depending on where residents of Kigali are walking, riding through or lurking — they may be lucky enough to benefit from the city’s new tech initiative. According to The New Times, the program launched September 20 grants free wi-fi access to those in areas including restaurants, King Faisa hospital, Nyabugogo Taxi Park, commercial buildings and public buses.
Part of the ‘Smart Kigali’ initiative aims to allow visitors and tourists easy access to city landmarks and mapping while being able to utilize convenience services on the web. Collectively, internet providers Tigo and Airtel, the City of Kigali, the Rwanda Development Board and the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency made the project possible, according to The New Times.
- See more at: http://afkinsider.com/22636/rwanda-smart-kigali-initative-provides-free-internet-throughout-city/#sthash.b1v3ILbo.dpuf
Depending on where residents of Kigali are walking, riding through or lurking — they may be lucky enough to benefit from the city’s new tech initiative. According to The New Times, the program launched September 20 grants free wi-fi access to those in areas including restaurants, King Faisa hospital, Nyabugogo Taxi Park, commercial buildings and public buses.
Part of the ‘Smart Kigali’ initiative aims to allow visitors and tourists easy access to city landmarks and mapping while being able to utilize convenience services on the web. Collectively, internet providers Tigo and Airtel, the City of Kigali, the Rwanda Development Board and the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency made the project possible, according to The New Times.
- See more at: http://afkinsider.com/22636/rwanda-smart-kigali-initative-provides-free-internet-throughout-city/#sthash.b1v3ILbo.dpuf

Thursday, 25 September 2014

Internet Training for Journalism Lecturers at SJMC, UDSM

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication of the University of Dar es Salaam, in collaboration with The Finnish Foundation for Media and Development is conducting a three-day internet training to journalism lecturers.

This training, which aims at building capacity to these lecturers in various aspects related to journalism and internet, will cover various topics such as, among others, how internet has changed societies, journalism in the age of the internet, internet in everyday journalism, journalistic research through the internet and issues related to plagiarism and copyrights.

Expectations of the trainees, including myself, from the first day of the training, Wednesday, September 24, range from a number of benefits such as acquiring skills on blogging, knowledge in reporting properly issues related to nationhood and identities,verifying facts and data in the course of reporting and the power to manage and adhere to principles and rules of copyrights and plagiarism.

On the first day, trainees have been able to learn a number of things such as facts about the internet and the internet age; websites that have changed the world; statistics about the way the world as well as the African population use the internet.

Interestingly, a heated debate emerged as participants raised the issue related to how the internet has affected the conventional or traditional media. In this regard, some participants were skeptical on whether principles of journalism such as writing of news stories strictly based on the 5W's and H would remain the same at this internet age.

According to the trainer, journalist Peik Johanson, despite the fact that internet has brought various changes in journalism, it should be treated with caution as far as the role of journalism is concerned.

It is unfortunate that this training is being held only for three days and includes just a few Tanzania journalism lecturers (16).
A section of journalism lecturers attending internet training at SJMC, UDSM
Listening to the trainer attentively