The Premier is backing a plan to launch a journalism training course for Bermudians on the Island.

Bermuda College is in talks with about developing a programme to produce more home-grown reporters.

Dr. Charles Green, president of Bermuda College, revealed that the plan was still in its early stages, but that the course would aim to produce journalists, photojournalists and television and radio technicians.

He said: ?There are lots of people in various sectors beginning to approach the idea of the college having a training programme, an educational programme for radio, TV and print journalism.

?As we look at our programming efforts for the coming year there are some ways to try and tie that particular curriculum to an initiative that we are doing called distance learning.?

He said one idea was for the course to be done online with some lessons broadcast on television or radio. ?The delivery of these courses on TV may mean the utilising of a studio where we make the courses,? he said.

He added that the college would work with the local industry ? including to identify needs. ?As a community college it?s exactly what we can do,? he said. ?In fact, it?s what we are equipped to do.?

Bill Zuill, editor of , which employs a large number of ex-pat reporters as well as Bermudians, said the scheme was very much in its infancy.

But he added: ?It?s a good idea because obviously it?s expensive and time-consuming to send Bermudians abroad for training, although we do it.

?There is a good deal of merit in the idea of having a locally-based course run along a similar structure to the national certificate of journalism courses that exist in the UK.?

He said it could be that local trainee reporters on the newspaper were sent to do ?block release? study at the college.

?It?s possible that we could figure something out where we might bring in trainers from a UK journalism centre to do the course here using the college?s facilities or it may be that it would be possible to use experienced local journalists to do it. All of that is very open.?

Mr. Scott said there was a shortage of trained local journalists in all areas of the Island?s media and described the initiative as ?long overdue?.

He said: ?The idea of a course for students to be introduced to communications in all its forms ? broadcast, print, audio-visual technology, graphic design, commercial photography etc. ? is most timely.

?Academia has always reached beyond the traditional classroom and offered opportunity for development in any career endeavour.

?Our system of education in Bermuda has a concentration in academics and while the value of this must never be diminished, it is also important to address preparation for all available careers on our Island.?

He added: ?Successfully completing a journalism course on-Island is about providing opportunity where none now exists. A good journalist is capable of doing his or her job anywhere.

?The nuance offered by home-grown communicators, that is such things as language, culture, historical attachments et cetera, can be an added plus in shaping some specific stories.

?However, there is a greater good that should be concentrated on and that is, the college will now provide added educational opportunity for Bermudians where traditionally there has been none.?