Four, fourteen year old students from Gozo College Boys Secondary, who are interested in media and journalism, had the unique opportunity to experience ‘job shadowing,’ when they were hosted for a week by the Malta Tourism Authority – Gozo Office, in collaboration with Young Reporters for the Environment – Nature Trust Malta.

This new experience was able to provide the students with a variety of opportunities and skills in order to get a more clear picture of what journalism entails and have actual hands-on experience.

The week long programme got underway with the students attending interactive presentations about basics on photography, article writing and videography.

With the thought in mind that they were to be in the field over the next few days, the students also began doing research on the topics they were going to report about mainly Dwejra and what attracts tourists.

A journalist first and foremost needs to be well informed on the topic to be reported. Another area covered was ethics, how to approach people for an interview, manners, data protection issues, copyright laws and permissions required.

As part of the job shadowing the students visited the MTA Gozo Office in Independence Square where they were met by Ms Christine Vella, Senior Head at the office, who provided them with an overview of the main functions of MTA.

The students also had the opportunity to accompany three Russian journalists who were on a visit to Gozo.

Besides observing them whilst they were filming at the Citadel and in a local farm, they also took the opportunity to ask them about their way of life, working hours and conditions, how they managed to get to their current job working with a TV station, difficulties they encounter and what they like about their job.

The boys also met Ms Ruth Vella who explained that all catering and hosting establishments need to have licences to operate in order to guarantee good standards to clients.

Mr Ivan Bonnici, an Enforcement Officer, very kindly invited the students to accompany him onsite at Dwejra for inspections.

The students witnessed an inspection of a scuba diving group. Mr Bonnici gave details of what needs to be checked, safety measures which need to be taken and standards expected as regards expertise of instructors, licences, etc.

He also checked that all buses arriving with tourists were accompanied by a licensed guide, asking to see their identity tags, explaining the reasons why these checks need to be made.

Whilst at Dwejra the students visited the Dwejra tower from where they could take some good shots for their features and gather information about Dwejra as a Marine Protected Area and Natura 200 site from Mr Mario Gauci.

They then embarked on carrying out interviews with tourists and locals, as well as gathering material to enable them to practice writing an article for the newspaper or make a short video report.

The last day of job shadowing was spent producing reports and features on the material collected and the experience.

The students were at all times accompanied by teacher Ms Marvic Refalo, providing support for the EkoSkola, YRE and LEAF programmes in all schools in Gozo.

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