Kim Pham
7 July 2016: University of Canberra journalism students will get an insight into the Middle East's media and cultural landscape when they travel to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar this month.
The international field study is part of the Australia-Middle East Journalism Exchange (AMEJE) which aims to equip journalism students with an understanding of other cultures, media systems and work practices.
Four students will tour the United Arab Emirates and Qatar visiting news organisations, cultural institutions, universities and government departments. They will be accompanied by AMEJE managing director and University of Canberra journalism tutor Scott Bridges.
The AMEJE has come full circle with University of Qatar students visiting Australia last month.
The six students spent 12 days in Sydney and Canberra where they were given access to some of Australia's top newsrooms including the ABC, SBS, Fairfax Media and Buzzfeed. They also enjoyed a talk by The Canberra Times political cartoonist Dave Pope and a workshop with assistant professor of journalism and communications Glen Fuller at the University of Canberra.
Students were invited to share their experiences with local audiences while being interviewed SBS Arabic24 and ABC Radio 666. University of Qatar student Ahd Mohamed said she recognised many differences between Australian and Middle East media.
"I think the way the Australian and Middle East media work is quite different. In Qatar there's a lot more formality and a fixed process…we're also affected by social traditions and ethics," she said.
"However, in Australia it seems more open and there's not as much formality. Both have different ways of how they work but the results are still amazing."
The study tours are organised in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Council for Australian-Arab Relations.
University of Canberra students leave for the United Arab Emirates and Qatar on July 16 and return 1 August.