The Fourth International Institute for Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Journalism (Penplusbytes) innovative global online course, is underway with 35 participants drawn from Africa, Asia, North America and Europe.

A statement issued in Accra by Mr Jeremiah Sam of Penplusbytes, copied to Ghana News Agency on Monday said the objective of the course was to teach the theory and concept of ICTs journalism; the impact of ICTs on Journalism and how to increase excellence in journalism using ICTs as a tool.

The course which began on Friday, April 20, would end on Friday, July 20 and would expose participants to the wider context of ICTs assisted journalism including how these technologies are impacting on the world of journalism.

Mr Kwami Ahiabenu, Course Facilitator stated that, "The course is designed to enable participants harness the power of ICTs in producing high quality impactful stories, and how to manage change process in using innovative ICT tools."

He noted that the online global course would provide participants with skills and knowledge within a practical interactive learning environment, with the main goal of strengthening capabilities in both multimedia and online news production while increasing understanding of the rapid changing environment in newsroom operations due to opportunities and challenges Information and Communication Technologies revolution brings.

“After successfully completing the course, each participant should be able to produce and implement a variety of creative solutions for online news operations.”

The online global course which was successfully pioneered in 2006, has so far trained hundreds of journalists in using ICTs to enhance their work.

Participants meet online via weekly group discussion, assignment and make use of ICT tools to produce a final project work before the award of a certificate.

Penplusbytes is a registered not for profit institution since July 18, 2001, with the vision of driving excellence in ICT journalism.

It seeks to empower the media through the use of ICTs to advance the work of journalism.

Penplusbytes consists of a network of media organisations and journalists interested in using ICTs effectively to advance the cause of journalism.**