Sixteen journalism students from Charles University in Prague got a chance to see a modern, international news organization up-close last month by spending "A Day at RFE/RL."
The aspiring journalists participated in RFE/RL's daily editorial meeting, met with reporters and producers for hands-on training, and discussed the news business with RFE/RL's Associate Director of Broadcasting Akbar Ayazi.
RFE is almost like a doctor, going to see people in need.
“If you can make a difference in the lives of just one or two people, you buy yourself one or two years of happiness,” Ayazi told the group.
The students, who sacrificed a day of their summer vacations to attend, learned that 21st century journalists need to be ready to write, shoot, and package their stories for web, print, and broadcast media.
One student, Anna Chubdova, said she was "particularly impressed by the dedication of RFE/RL journalists to bringing the news to closed societies. RFE/RL is almost like a doctor, going to see people in need," she said.
Charles University was the ninth such group to take part in the "A Day at RFE/RL" program. In the past year, students from schools including Colgate University, Washington University, and Masaryk University, have taken part in the program.
If your organization is interested in spending a day at RFE/RL headquarters in Prague, please contact Jana Hokuvova.
- Joseph Hammond