European Journalism Training Association

Formal network of authorized European journalism training centres

The European Journalism Training Association (EJTA) is a formal network of authorized European journalism training centres, enabling cooperation and exchanges of students and teachers. Within this network, international projects and education programmes are set up. In addition, EJTA organises conferences and seminars to discuss important journalistic issues. The members exchange ideas and information. This way they all work together on the improvement of journalistic education in Europe.^[1]

The non-profit organisation was founded in Brussels in 1990. It’s a legal body under Dutch law.^[2] The EJTA office is located in Mechelen. The network has over 55 members from 25 different European countries to date.

Each year in May or June, EJTA holds its AGM as well as the Annual Conference. The annual EJTA Teachers’ Conference was organised for the first time in 2014. The journal Journalism Studies is published by Routledge on behalf of the European Journalism Training Association, the European Communication Research and Education Association and the Journalism Studies Division of the International Communication Association.

Tartu Declaration

The Tartu Declaration was adopted at the AGM in Tartu (Estonia) in 2006 and was revised in 2013. It is a detailed analysis that states which principles the EJTA members have to respect when training and educating their students and participants. The Tartu Declaration lists ten core competences, each existing of five parts. Every member needs to sign and implement this declaration. If they do not do this, admission is impossible. This means that the institutions have to act in accordance with the principles and should master the ten competences.^[3]

Mobility Catalogue

One of EJTA’s projects is the mobility catalogue. This catalogue helps journalism students find out which foreign institution (within Europe) is most appropriate for them to take courses at. It is possible to search for a programme or institution. Students can also find the right contact person and the criteria for admission per educational institution.