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Financial Journalism Training Program

Overview

The reporting of business and financial journalists plays an important role in the economic development of Africa. Their articles inform citizens, investors, business executives, civil society leaders and public officials. Comprehensive, accurate coverage promotes transparency, accountability, and good governance, which contribute to economic growth and greater prosperity.

In 2015, the Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa (BMIA) team collaborated with a consortium of African journalism and business universities to develop a highly innovative, integrated, and practical world-class training program firmly rooted in African market realities. The BMIA Financial Journalism Training (FJT) program features top faculty from outstanding local institutions of higher learning, supplemented by Bloomberg business journalists. The sessions also draw upon experts from the media, business, and government. FJT is offered to journalists and mid-career professionals in business, government and civil society. Program participants have free access throughout the training to the comprehensive data and information available on the Bloomberg Terminal®. Tuition and program costs are covered by Bloomberg and its foundation partners.

The BMIA FJT certificate training modules include: Media Landscape, Economics, Finance and Accounting, Financial Journalism, Public Policy, Financial Markets, Environmental Justice, Extractions and the practicalities of Data Analysis, Interpretation and Presentation.

The BMIA training program is designed (19 days over 6 months) to enable participants to stay on the job and apply their learning in real time.

The FJT program employs a learning management system to facilitate ongoing learning, share reporting by program graduates, collaborate on syndicate projects and maintain the professional relationships formed during the training.

The BMIA FJT team contracted with an independent firm of expert external evaluators to conduct audits, surveys, and interviews to identify issues and make program adjustments in real time. The BMIA FJT program is supported by Bloomberg, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Ford Foundation and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.

Highlights

  • Mike Bloomberg launches the Financial Journalism Training program in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2015
  • Bloomberg LP collaborates with a consortium of preeminent journalism and business schools across six key African countries to develop and deliver a highly innovative, integrated, and practical world-class financial journalism training program firmly rooted in African market realities.
  • FJT universities selected: Gordon Institute of Business Science, Rhodes University of Journalism and Media Studies, Strathmore Business School, University of Nairobi School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Pan-Atlantic University-Lagos Business School, University of Lagos Department of Mass Communication and Radio
  • Appointment of FJT Secretariat, the University of Pretoria Gordon Institute of Business (GIBS), South Africa
  • First Financial Journalism Training Program Faculty Training Workshop, Nairobi, Kenya
  • BMIA expands Financial Journalism Training Program to five new countries on the continent
  • Phase 2 FJT program is launched in Ghana in 2018
  • Appointment of Phase 2 FJT Secretariat, Strathmore University Business School (SBS), Kenya
  • Phase 2 universities selected: Ghana Institute of Journalism, University of Ghana Business School, University of Lusaka School of Business Economics and Management, University of Zambia Department of Media and Communication Studies, University of Dar es Salaam Business School, University of Dar es Salaam School of Journalism and Mass Communication
  • FJT program to be offered in Côte d’Ivoire and Sénégal in 2022.
  • The BMIA certificate training program is accredited by the Rhodes University School of Journalism and Media Studies.
  • Journalists from major media houses across the continent enrolled in the program, which was endorsed by the Ghana Institute of Journalism, University of Ghana School of Business, University of Zambia School of Business, University of Lusaka School of Journalism, University of Dar es Salaam, the Nigerian Press Council, and the Kenyan Press Council
  • An alumni network established features unique offerings to promote ongoing professional development, networking, and cross-collaboration.

By the Numbers:

59 faculty members trained

16 countries represented

785 journalists and mid-level professionals complete the Financial Journalism Training program

8 countries host the FJT program

220 media houses participate

17 intakes delivered

42% female participation

The Financial Journalism Training Participating Universities:


Who should apply?

This program has been primarily developed for mid-career journalists and financial professionals with an interest in financial journalism; government professionals responsible for public policy, communications and finance portfolios; and development practitioners and civil society professionals with an interest in African development and financial and economic data.

To learn more about the program, please click here.

9 Faculty Training Workshops

56 Faculty Trained

186 Graduates Completed Bloomberg Market Concepts

12 Bloomberg hires



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