The Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), also known as Forum Macao, has partnered with Macao’s public broadcaster TDM-Teledifusão de Macau S.A. to organise an internship programme for journalists from news agencies and TV stations of Portuguese-speaking Countries.

The training programme aims to strengthen television industry cooperation between China, Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries, as stated in the 4th Strategic Plan for Economic and Trade Cooperation signed by the Ministers that attended the Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao in 2013.

The initiative also intends to promote Macao as an exchange platform for information and TV content and programmes between the Portuguese-speaking Countries. The aim of strengthening co-operation, is stated in article 12.3 of the same strategic plan.

Trainees from the Mozambique Information Agency, TV Santomense, Guinea-Bissau News Agency, Cape Verdean Broadcasting and Public Television of Angola completed their two-week training courses administered by TDM SA between September 14 and December. A total of 10 professionals from Portuguese-speaking Countries attended the training sessions.

The interns were trained in recording techniques using digital cameras with solid-state drives; in sound editing and news editing, and on the exchange of news via the Internet.

During their stay in Macao, they also visited the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao. The Deputy Secretary-General of Forum Macao, Ms Rita Santos, briefed the journalists on Macao’s role as an economic, trade and cultural platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.

They also met with the representatives of some of the Portuguese-speaking Countries at the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, namely Mr Belarmino Barbosa of Angola; Mr Mário Vicente of Cape Verde; Mr Malam Camará of Guinea-Bissau; and the representative of Mozambique, Ms Esmeralda Patrício.

This initiative aims to realise the ministerial decision contemplated in the 4th Strategic Plan for Economic and Trade Cooperation, promoting the exchange of information and content for media platforms, including for television and radio stations.