First Young Journalists Forum starts in Moldova

About 50 young journalists from Moldova gathered on Friday, May 13, for a forum dedicated to discussions and meetings with professionals in the field. Speaking at the launch ceremony, Ecaterina Covali, the head of the Young Journalists Center, said the forum was the first of its kind, bringing together young journalists from across the country, including Transnistria and Gagauzia, Info-Prim Neo reports. The participants in the forum were selected based on applications which included motivation letters. Most are students who combine school or college studies with reporting. During 3 days, the participants will be trained by esteemed journalism and PR professionals, including Alina Radu, Cornelia Cozonac, Oxana Iutes, Mircea Surdu, Aurelia Peru, Vadim Stangaciu etc. The participants will also contribute to the development of a strategy on youth media. Larisa Sirbu, a graduate from the journalism faculty, said she came to the forum out of curiosity, to better understand what a free press meant. Another participant, Pavel Ermacov, is a student in the 11 grade and the editor of the school paper, and in the future he plans to go to the journalism faculty. He thinks that the press in Moldova has become freer in recent years but continues to be politicized, and the young journalists are those who will change this. The event is held with the financial support of the USAID within the framework of the AED's Moldova Strengthening Civil Society Program.