For journalists holding a yellow press card there is a regulation providing for professional training and an internship abroad of up to six months. Its conditions are clear.

Who May Apply? - Article 3

Subpara.Condition
aTo have completed at least a high school, or an educational institution whose equivalence is accepted by the Ministry of National Education
bTo be actively working in the field of press and broadcasting and to hold a yellow press card
cNot to be over 50 years of age
dFor those working attached to a press or broadcasting organ, to have obtained leave from their organisation

Selection Criteria - Article 4

Those to take part in the programme are determined having regard to three criteria:

  • (a) Sufficient knowledge of a foreign language to be able to follow the training programme
  • (b) The level of basic and general culture required by the programme to be followed
  • (c) Their work and successes in the professional field

The same article grants one more priority to those first in their school: provided their knowledge of a foreign language has been established as sufficient, they are admitted to the training programmes in priority.

Duration and Announcement

IssueProvisionArticle
Maximum durationProfessional training and an internship abroad of up to 6 months6
AnnouncementThe principles and procedures are announced by suitable means at least 15 days in advance5
Financial sourceProgrammed having regard to the financial resources to be allocated for that purpose by the Promotion Fund2
ExpensesThe sum to be paid in respect of travel and other expenses is determined for each programme7

The Participant's Obligations

Article 9: those taking part in the training and internship are obliged to follow the programme to be determined continuously and attentively. The programmes of those found not to be showing the attention and seriousness the training requires are cut short.

Article 11: those taking part in the programme prepare and submit a report on the training they received within at most 2 months of their return to the country after the programme ends.

Monitoring the Programme

Article 10: the operation of the programmes is monitored by the Press Counsellorships or Attachés in the country concerned, where there are any, and in places where there are none by persons to be authorised, and the results are reported in monthly reports.

We cover the press counsellorship structure in the overseas assignments guide.

Summary

Journalists who have at least a high school diploma, work actively in the field of press and broadcasting, hold a yellow press card, are not over 50 and have leave from their organisation may apply for the overseas professional training and internship programme. Those first in the Schools of Press and Broadcasting are exempt from condition (b). The duration is at most six months; the financial source is the Promotion Fund. Payments made to those who do not complete the programme are recovered under the undertaking.