THE Negros Oriental State University (Norsu) formally introduced the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) for journalists starting this semester.

Norsu president Henry Sojor told reporters that the program was already available effective second semester of 2007-2008 after the Board of Regents headed by Commissioner Ricafort approved Resolution No. 28, series of 2007, as legal basis of the program.

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Sojor said it was first offered to local journalists who did not finish Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication (AB MassCom). There were at least 15 practicing mediamen in both print and broadcast who have availed of the program starting this semester. They are all scholars, Sojor said.

He explained that he looked for sponsors of the scholarship, including field trips for practicing journalists.

The objective of the program, he said, is to professionalize the practicing media so that they can qualify for any promotion.

Sojor stressed that although journalists in Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental have the ability and dedication to work, some of them either did not finish college or are graduate of other courses not related to mass communication.

He further said that although universities in Negros Oriental have produced mass communication graduates every year, majority of them did not work as journalists or do any media-related work because they are still not capable of doing and suitable for the job.

“Naa gani nakahuman sa MassCom pero maulaw makigsulti sa ubang tawo,” he stressed.

Sojor, a doctor of philosophy by profession, said journalism is a noble profession but only few are chosen.

“Working journalists are not required to attend classes,” he said in Cebuano. “They are required, however, to submit their accomplishment reports together with the published and aired materials as equivalent.”

He, however, clarified that the program is also open for businessmen, farmers, and other fields of profession.

At present, broadcast technicians were enrolled in Bachelor of Science and Information Technology (BSIT).

Businessmen, he said, can enroll for Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) while farmers can enroll for Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. (Victor L. Camion)