A five day training workshop for 15 journalists on online Communication and Internet security for media practitioners commenced on Monday at the Gambia Press Union Headquarters in Bakau.

The training is organized by the GPU with support from the American Embassy in Banjul. In a statement delivered at the opening ceremony, Swaibou Conteh the proprietor of News and Report Magaznie and also GPUs Adviser, said as far as journalism training is concerned, online training is new in the country.

He underscored the need for journalists to be trained on online communication and internet security.

Mr. Conateh noted that it is essential for journalists to know how to use the computer, internet and website. This he went on is the "journalism of today". He said online communication is the fastest means of passing information to people all over the world.

Mr. Conateh expressed optimism that by the end of the training, participants would be able to meet some of the basic needs on online journalism.

He finally thanked the US Embassy for sponsoring the training, noting that this is not the first time they have rendered support to the GPU. For his part, the editor in chief of Foroyaa Newspaper said journalists should try to catch up with the trend of technology or otherwise they will be left behind, noting that online journalism is moving fast. Mr. Sarr explained that as far as online journalism is concerned, it has more advantages over other media tools. Unlike audio and visual communications, online, communication is permanent and once the information is needed, it is easier to access it.

Mr. Sarr stressed the need to not only master the technology but also know how to protect oneself.

He also stressed the need for media houses to have an in-house training for their reporters with regards to the use of cell phones. He said that people use it to receive calls but noted that there is more to it.

The Secretary General of the Gambia Press Union, Emil Touray on his part said the training will provide participants the opportunity to look at issues pertaining to online journalism and security. Online journalism he went on is a new field of journalism. Mr. Touray added that some journalists are engaged in online journalism but have little knowledge on online security. This he said is essential. The training he remarked will give journalists the opportunity to share experiences on that area and help them on how to protect their emails. It will also help them ensure that people do not have access to information on their email boxes, he said. He urged the participants to share their experiences with their colleagues at the end of the training.

The course trainer, George Christenson said journalists should embrace the new shape of journalism which is online journalism otherwise they will be left behind.