Doha: Qatar News Agency launched a new training course titled 'Editing and Media Monitoring' at its headquarters on Sunday. This course is part of a series of training initiatives aimed at developing the skills of national media personnel and enhancing their efficiency in specialized media and journalism fields. The course, attended by 19 journalists, 17 of whom are from QNA and others from various Qatari government sectors, as well as two from the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), aligns with QNA's plans to improve the performance and efficiency of media and journalism cadres in various institutions. It also reflects the commitment to the decisions of the 22nd meeting of the heads of news agencies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held in August, which aimed to strengthen the bonds among the news agencies in the GCC states, and a proposal by the GCC Secretariat for on-the-job training. The five-day course aims to develop and enhance the participants' skills, providing them with the necessary tools and knowle dge for effective media editing and monitoring in addition to training sessions on monitoring and analyzing media outputs across various platforms and forms of media. The course covers many important aspects of media monitoring and editing, from the objectives and techniques of media monitoring to analyzing different media sources and extracting indicators and outcomes. The course also incorporates practical training on using artificial intelligence in specialized reporting and press trend analysis. At the end of the course, the trainees will present their final projects by producing a media piece for media monitoring, aimed at assessing the effectiveness of this specialized training at QNA. 'Editing and Media Monitoring' is considered a critical specialization given the rapid advancements in media and technology. Understanding and analyzing media content is vital for any organization that wants to make strategic decisions based on accurate assessments of the media and public landscapes. In March 2023, QN A inaugurated the 'QNA Training Halls' at its headquarters, consistent with its vision to develop media personnel through specialized quality training programs to contribute to the media scene with qualified young Qatari cadres capable of keeping pace with the changes and developments in this crucial field. Source: Qatar News Agency