Ouagadougou — Students of the Higher Institute of Communication and Multimedia (ISCOM) attended a master class on data journalism led by the Higher School of Journalism, Internet and Communication Professions (E-jicom) scholarship holders from Burkina Faso. The event, designed to share insights and experiences related to the field of data journalism, took place on June 29, 2024, in Ouagadougou.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the second cohort of journalists from the Data Journalism Training Program at E-jicom in Dakar conducted the session. They discussed various aspects of the training including scholarship benefits, challenges faced during their studies, and career prospects post-certification. Moussa Sawadogo, a journalist and educator, introduced the fundamental concepts of data journalism to the attendees. He emphasized how this practice enhances investigative reporting by effectively using data to fulfill the journalist’s societal role.

Lassané Yaméogo, the program’s focal point, highlighted that the master class aims to prompt students to consider specializing early in their careers. The session concluded with a question-and-answer segment, helping students gain a clearer understanding of data journalism and the details of the training program.

Participant Latifatou Zougmoré expressed her inspiration from the course and shared experiences, revealing her intentions to apply for the training program in the future. The training, provided by E-jicom, spans six months and concludes with a certification. It targets professional journalists from several African countries, including Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Niger, and Senegal, aiming to advance quality journalism on development topics.