Embassy Highlight

U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers, Romanian Students, Teachers, Journalists Publish Journalism Book

October 19, 2009

A group of U.S. Peace Corps volunteers, working with Romanian students, teachers and journalists, will publish a school journalism book this month and provide a free copy to 50 school or local libraries throughout Romania.

A resource containing all you need to start a school newspaper, "First Steps in Journalism: How to Run a School Newspaper" is written by U.S. Peace Corps volunteers and was translated into Romanian by students and teachers who attended the Journalists of Tomorrow Summer Camp held on July 18-25 in Barlad, Romania.

"This book contains all the basics about journalism that students and teachers need to know to create their own high school newspaper,” said Zack Baddorf, one of the book’s two editors and a former journalist who now is a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Barlad. "We want to give Romanian students the skills necessary to produce a newspaper and also introduce them to journalism as a potential career. Journalists, young and old, serve the public and need to have a foundation of skills necessary to complete their responsibilities.”

The book, which is about 130 pages in length, teaches the basic skills, concepts and terminology necessary to write hard news, features and opinion columns as well as how to take photos. The text also instructs how to conduct interviews, edit articles and layout a newspaper. Additionally, a chapter discusses basic public relations techniques. The guide includes practical activities that help students think about how to apply the necessary skills in their school newspaper team.

The Cuza Association, based in Barlad, has provided sponsorship for 50 school or local libraries to receive a copy of the book. Students of all ages or teachers may visit http://primiipasi.shorturl.com to request one free copy for their school or local library.

People interested in purchasing a copy of their own can visit http://primiipasi.alturl.com .The price is 20 RON, including shipping.

The book was produced as part of the Barlad Journalism Camp in partnership with the Romanian Ministry of Education, Alexandru Ioan Cuza Technical High School, the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, U.S. Peace Corps Romania, the inspectorate for Judetul Vaslui and the Barlad town hall.

For media interviews, contact the editors:

Anca Sandu
A.I. Cuza High School Teacher
0763601175
0726342359


Zack Baddorf
U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
0758540028
0746465138

Email: BarladJournalismCamp@gmail.com

Students and teachers who helped with the book from the following cities: Barlad, Botosani, Bucuresti, Constanta, Hateg, Iasi, Pascani, Roman, Slatina, and Targu Neamt may also be available for interviews.

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