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RNTC has an international reputation for excellence as a training centre serving media professionals working in broadcast, print and online media. Our certificates are recognised and respected all over the world. We provide a wide variety of international courses for journalists, programme-makers, trainers and managers in Hilversum, as well as refresher courses for alumni and tailor-made training (which can also take place on location). All are open to paying and sponsored participants; fellowships are available for certain courses as well. In everything we offer, our guiding principle is ‘learning by doing’. In short, RNTC can design and implement training solutions to meet every need of the media world.
Back to topMission
RNTC’s mission is to strengthen the capacity of people and organisations to work in and with the media, for development. It aims to contribute to the development of media, and to the use of media for development, by enabling people and organisations to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes.
Vision
Billions of people suffer from what could be called ‘social poverty’ – the lack of access to information, education, or political power. This may lead to dependency and social exclusion, or a diminished capacity to participate in society or develop meaningful connections with other people. Media play a fundamental rand nurturing role in building social wealth:
Media are therefore not just a channel through which messages are sent, but an essential part of civil society. For media to contribute positively to development in and of societies they should be rooted in society, reflect society and serve society. They should be part of a strong, vibrant and diverse media sector in which they have the freedom, independence and means to take up and fully realise their role. They should have the capacity to do so in a professional way, working from a thorough understanding of their rights and responsibilities and mastering the required professional skills and attitudes.
In addition, citizens and civil society organisations should have access to media, not only as consumers of news and information, but also as active contributors to the debate and dialogue, and as participants in the production of media content.
Back to topEstablished in 1968 as a joint initiative of Radio Netherlands Worldwide and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, RNTC has over the years evolved from a broadcast media training centre to a centre of excellence in the field of media, education and development.
RNTC has more than 40 years of experience in the training of media professionals and consultancy for media organisations in developing countries and countries in transition.
Demand-driven and context-sensitive
The starting point for RNTC capacity strengthening projects is the demands of the people and organisations involved. This ensures relevance, applicability and ‘ownership’ by local stakeholders. The broader political and social context of projects is also taken into account.
Tailor-made, in partnership
RNTC does not believe in fixed recipes. Different cultures require different styles. RNTC doesn’t teach a ‘standard’ of what it means to be an ‘independent’ journalist. Instead, RNTC helps partners to design appropriate programmes. Our approach is highly participatory and begins with a very simple question: ‘What insights and skills do you need to improve your work?’ Given this, RNTC prefers to work in long-term partnerships as we believe this is essential to ensure the quality and sustainability of what we do.
Learning by doing
The strength of RNTC’s methodology is the emphasis on learning by doing. Active participation is more effective than passively listening to lectures. Receiving and giving feedback reinforces the uptake of new ideas and skills. Knowledge ‘discovered’ is more tangible than knowledge that’s handed over on a plate. It is also easier for people to apply in their work contexts.
Tackling taboos by storytelling
It is often quicker and sometimes safer to follow the official line and interview the same figures over and over. However, this does little to serve ordinary people and communities, or encourage their participation in democratic processes. Storytelling is a way to break this pattern. Seeking out and telling untold stories can be encouraged by new formats, and more interactive methods of involving audiences. As Tony Wilkinson, of RNTC, says: “Storytelling builds on an oral tradition which some African journalists see as being under threat from the rise of the written word in the new media.”
Real life, real issues
During a course, participants share their cases and experiences with each other. Theory is used to deepen understanding. Then the participants try out new ideas. As a result, what the participants learn has practical relevance and can be applied immediately back home. This benefits both the organisation they work for and their own career prospects – for example, many participants ask about how to sell programme ideas to those in charge.
Blended learning
In RNTC courses traditional classroom-based learning is replaced by ‘blended learning’ – a combination of methodologies and formats designed to fit the specific needs of the course participants. These include innovative methods such as coaching, mentoring and computer and network-facilitated learning. In this way, RNTC leads students to become cross-media professionals.
Back to topWe haven't limited our work area to a selected list of countries. We work for and with media professionals and focus on those who come from developing countries and countries in transition.
Some of our courses take place in the Netherlands, others abroad. Our courses for individuals always take place in the Netherlands. Tailor made courses can take place both in the Netherlands and abroad.
Back to topRNTC works with media professionals and media organisations. We also work with people and organisations who are not media professionals themselves, but want to use media as a tool for development.
Individuals
RNTC trains a broad variety of media professionals working for radio, TV, print and online media: a.o. journalists, reporters, editors, programme makers, presenters, technicians, soap writers and magers. We also offer courses to people who train media professionals.
Organisations
RNTC trains and partners with organisations such as:
- Radio and TV broadcasters, print media and online media
- Educational institutions, such as communication faculties, schools for journalim and universities
- Civil society organisations and international organisations that use media as a tool for development
- Associations, such as journalist associations
A course at RNTC
Please contact us, if you want to discuss options for a course or project with RNTC.
- Individuals can check our list with courses for individuals.
- Organisations and institutions can contact us at info@rntc.nl
We will work closely with you to design, develop and implement a course tailor-made to meet your needs and the needs of your organisation. RNTC has no funding of its own but we can advise on potential sources of third-party funding.
Back to topWe believe that quality and sustainability can best be achieved if activities form part of a strategic, longer-term plan. RNTC therefore favours programmes that run for a number of years, rather than one-off activities without any follow-up.
ISO certified Quality Management System
RNTC Hilversum is ISO 9001: 2008 certified which means its Quality Management System is of the highest standard. We are reviewed yearly by internal and external auditors.
Global Activity
RNTC is registered at the UN Global Marketplace as a supplier of expert knowledge and training in the field of media, education and development under number 135202.
RNTC strives for customer satisfaction. We value all input from partners, donors, trainees and other interested parties. RNTC has an official complaints procedure. Send your complaint to management@rntc.nl and you will receive an answer from RNTC’s management within 14 days of receipt. Anonymous complaints will not be considered.
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