Press

Transition Year students, Year 13 (NI) in Irish-medium schools around the country are being offered a unique insight into journalism in an online course this March

15.02.23

Transition Year students, Year 13 (NI) in Irish-medium schools are being offered a unique insight into journalism in an online course which will run from 7th until the 9th of March 2023. All the students participating in the course will have the opportunity to learn from some of Ireland’s finest television, radio, print and digital journalists and broadcasters.
 
The three day online programme, Iriseoirí An Lae Amárach, is spearheaded by University of Galway, Nuacht RTÉ and TG4 and is in conjunction with An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) and the Department of Education. The course will be held via Zoom and is aimed at students in post-primary schools in Gaeltacht areas along with students in Irish-medium post-primary schools around the country. Each day a mix of material will be presented by journalists who broadcast on TG4, RTÉ and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. Students will also hear from those involved with University of Galway’s media and communications courses and also there will be an opportunity for participants of the programme to find out about content on online platforms.
 
Professor Breandán Mac Suibhne, Stiúrthóir Léinn, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, 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 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.”
 
Programme Director of the MA (Cleachtas Gairmiúil sna Meáin), University of 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.”
 
Welcoming the launch of the third year of the initiative, CEO of COGG, Jaqueline Ní Fhearghusa said: “This 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.”
 
Deirdre Ní Choistín who is TG4’s Head of News and Current Affairs said: “We are pleased to extend this collaboration with University of Galway for a third year running. Irish language journalism is core part of the TG4 schedule, and we welcome the opportunity to encourage students to consider a career in journalism.”
 
Over 400 students registered for the course in 2022.
 
Schools can register for this course on the following link; https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wdOJaEAwRl2P9_bA4wOnPQ