Dozens of research papers, interviews, TV and radio reports, implemented conferences, participation in regional projects are the results of the work of five students who completed paid internships in the media and NGOs dealing with the media in the past three months. Jelena Radulović, Bojana Rajković, Mia Zeković, Jelena Kočanović and Ana Novović, who previously participated in the III Media Literacy Forum , had the opportunity to do an internship at daily Vijesti, Center for Investigative Journalism (CIN), portal and radio Antena M, radio KRŠ and Nova M television.
Through daily professional challenges, interns had the opportunity to apply the acquired knowledge, to creatively identify key issues and provide answers to questions of public interest by using the skills acquired at the Media Literacy Forum, which was the focus of their work. Both in the media and non-governmental sector, they have improved the method of data collection, processing, and later reporting.
“The three-month-long internship brought me a lot of experience that I will definitely apply in the future. Frequent field work for taking statements, as well as work on vox pops, were certainly the most interesting for me and that’s where I found myself” says Ana Novović, who did her internship in television Nova M.
Mia Zeković did her internship at the Antena M portal and radio, whence she has excellent impressions of the acquired work experience, but also of the critical thinking approach. “My experience here is something I will remember for the rest of my life, and I am very grateful to the CCE programme that allowed me to meet these people, this modus operandi, a harmonious work environment. I recommend everyone to apply for this Forum and try their luck and have an unforgettable experience,” she said.
Jelena Kočanović, who did her internship at KRŠ Radio, points out the joint project on media literacy of this media and BIRN, which she worked on, noting that her internship came at the right time. “I have met a lot of people and it was a major turning point in my career,” she added.
“A great experience that I will undoubtedly apply in the future. I quickly learned to work in the system and to fit in with the team,” shared similar impressions Jelena Radulović, who had this three-month internship in the newspaper Vijesti.
“I got acquainted with journalistic work with the help of a great team that was full of understanding and supporting at any time,” underlined Bojana Rajković, who worked at the Center for Investigative Journalism (CIN).
Damir Nikočević, CCE Development coordinator and coordinator of the project within which this internship was conducted, explained the importance of this programme. “Through applicable and everyday work in newsrooms, we gave the interns the opportunity to get directly familiarised with the challenges of the working environment, and thus to be more prepared for future challenges after this programme. The Media Literacy Forum and accompanying internships have produced numerous journalists and activists who are at very important positions in their media and organizations. I am sure that this will be the case with this generation as well,” Nikočević concluded.
The paid internship programme is the result of multiannual cooperation between the CCE and the media and the NGOs dealing with media issues in Montenegro, and it is to be expected that it will intensify in the future. The programme is part of the project “Media for Me!”, which the CCE implements with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway and Balkan Trust for Democracy funded by the German Marshall Fund of the United States (BTD).
Dženita Franca, Project assistant