Journalists from Uzbekistan Visit QPTV

Tuesday April 30, 2019 saw the arrival of a group of visiting journalists from Uzbekistan. The visiting journalists are part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitors Leadership Program.
With each visit of journalists from a foreign nation, we are reminded of the importance and need for independent media, especially in countries where the citizens are struggling against oppressive governments.
The professional objectives, of the U. S. Department of State’s, International Visitor’s Leadership Program are stated as follows:
Examine the rights and responsibilities of a free press in a democracy;
Explore operational practices, standards, and institutions of the media;
Gain insight into American social, economic, and political structures;
Learn about current trends and challenges in the media profession;
Explore foreign affairs reporting;
Learn about the work of government spokespersons at the local, state and federal levels;
Learn about journalism schools and training in the world of new media.

QPTV can make a strong case for being a supporter of citizen journalism. Although local access centers are not journalistic hubs, local coverage of local events is central to what access centers do. Learning centers for citizen journalism can be a game changing initiative.

Nightly news reports are increasingly using footage recorded by citizen journalists armed with cell phones and digital cameras. QPTV and other Community Access Organizations can and should become learning centers for local and, perhaps, international journalists.

-Cliff Jacobs