« There are no illegal journalism schools in Haiti, » says INFP’s Samuel Germain
In response to AyiboPost’s article on technical and vocational schools not recognized by the National Institute of Vocational Training (INFP), a senior official of this institution says that journalism schools have nothing to be ashamed of.
The article caused quite a stir. On March 23, 2023, the online newspaper revealed that the Francophone Institute of Journalism (IFJ) was part of a list of schools not certified by the State. An article visibly poorly perceived by Samuel Germain, from the INFP accreditation department, who reacted very quickly.
Regarding the list of unrecognized schools, Samuel Germain confirms the existence of this list which « has never been published » and on which the Francophone Institute of Journalism does not appear. The institution where he works “has never pointed the finger at the IFJ”, indicates Samuel germain who defends the INFP against this list from which only the name of a single school of journalism emerges. The online media “probably published an incriminating article to bring shame on the Francophone Institute of Journalism. « The INFP does not recognize any journalism schools in the country, but that does not mean that journalism schools are illegal for this, » the INFP executive clarified.
Samuel Germain reminded that to create a vocational school in Haiti, an authorization issued by the National Institute of Professional Training (INFP) is required. However, journalism schools are not subject to this authorization and are the subject of a declaration addressed to the town halls which grant them a licence.
“It is true that journalism is a profession, but the INFP does not cover the field of journalism”. For Samuel Germain, it is the Ministry of Communication that should have regulated the teaching of journalism in Haiti.
The absence of official recognition has not prevented a process of disciplining practical knowledge specific to the profession of journalism. In 2015, Rotchild François Junior, who at the time was Minister of Communication, tried to regulate the training sector. The former holder of the Ministry of Culture and Communication (MCC), has taken various initiatives to improve the quality of journalism training. In this sense, the boss of RFM, met the various directors of journalism schools in the capital, including the CEO of the Francophone Institute of Journalism (IFJ), Philippe Jasmin. The main purpose of the meeting was to identify the courses that should be included in a journalism study program.
During this meeting, Rotchild François Junior invited them to offer him model curricula for journalism training that he himself would review and later validate the final reference document. This training program was to be submitted to the Haitian Parliament for consideration with a view to its ratification. Unfortunately, this did not come to fruition. Rotchild François Junior tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Evans Paul, in a letter dated September 15, 2015.
