Press

TG4 and NUIG to run an online Journalism course in Irish for Transition Year Students

Iriseoirí an Lae Amárach
Online course in Journalism for Transition Year Students.
1-3 March 2022

24.01.22

 
NUI Galway in partnernship with TG4 and Nuacht RTÉ / TG4 hosts an online course in journalism for transition year students Iriseoirí an Lae Amárach.
 
Transition Year students in Irish-medium schools are being offered a unique insight to journalism in an online course with some of Ireland’s finest television, radio and digital journalists and broadcasters. NUI Galway, Nuacht RTÉ and TG4 are running the week-long Iriseoirí an Lae Amárach programme in conjunction with An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) and the Department of Education. Over 400 students registered for the inaugural course in 2021.
 
The course is aimed at students in post-primary schools in Gaeltacht and other Irish-medium post-primary schools and will be held via Zoom between 1–3 March 2022.
 
Each day a mix of material will be presented by a team drawn from NUI Galway’s media and communications courses and from journalists broadcasting on TG4, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and producing content for online platforms. The course will also give an insight into following a career path in media.
 
Participating journalists this year will include Nuacht TG4 newscaster Eibhlín Ní Choistealbha, Orla O’Donnell, RTÉ News Legal Correspondent and presenter of TG4’s award-winning documentary series Finné, and journalist with TG4’s current affairs programme 7 Lá, Shane Ó Curraighín. Drivetime presenter, Cormac Ó hEadhra and Raidió na Gaeltachta’s Áine Ní Bhreisleáin, will give an insight into Radio journalism and the journalists Póilín Nic Géidigh (RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta) and Méabh Ní Thuathalláin (TG4 and Tuairisc.ie) will give a perspective on social and digital journalism. Nuacht TG4 News Editor, Beirní Ní Chuinn will also give an overview of the responsibilities of the News Editor.
 
TG4’s Director General, Alan Esslemont said: “We are pleased to extend this collaboration with NUIG for a second year running. Irish language journalism is core part of the TG4 schedule, and we welcome the opportunity to encourage Transition Year students to consider a career in journalism.”
 
Professor Breandán Mac Suibhne, Stiúrthóir Léinn, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, NUI Galway, said: “The last few years, punctuated by the catch-cry of ‘fake news’, have made us all more conscious of the importance of quality journalism. Iriseoirí an lae amárach enables Transition Year Students to see for themselves what journalism involves and it gives them experience that may help them decide if they wish to pursue a career in a field so vital to democracy and social justice. And it will also give them a sense of the opportunities offered by a BA at NUI Galway.”
 
Welcoming the launch of the second year of the initiative, head of COGG, Muireann Ní Mhóráin said: “This new course will present careers in journalism to post-primary students in Gaeltacht areas and in Irish medium post-primary schools throughout the country along with emphasising the importance of high quality journalism and informing students of opportunities through the medium of Irish in this area.”
 
Programme Director of the MA (Cleachtas Gairmiúil sna Meáin), NUI Galway, Aodh Ó Coileáin, said: “The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has compared the vital role of journalists to that of ‘public watchdog’. Accordingly, the Court has afforded the press the broadest scope of protection. Freedom of the press is one of the great gifts of a democratic society. Perhaps now more than at any point in our history, Ireland needs free, critical, impartial and independent media.”“NUI Galway, Nuacht RTÉ and TG4 and An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta hope that this vibrant new digital course will give an insight to students and perhaps encourage some to choose education in journalism or some aspect of media and broadcasting. The truth always matters.”
 
Registration for course and further information: Schools should write to: peadar@cogg.ie in order to express interest and receive a registration link.
 
Monday 21 February is the deadline for registration.