Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Vice President Supports COM-FSM Media Studies Program Proposal

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): August 5, 1997 –
FSM Vice President Leo A. Falcam, in a July 28, 1997, letter to
Vice President for Academic Affairs, COM-FSM, offers support for the
proposal to develop a Micronesian Media Studies Program at COM-FSM.

“I have noted the importance of having well trained local
journalist who see and interpret events through local “eyes” and
appreciate, respect and are sensitive to our local culture,” Falcam said.

The curriculum should be of local orientation in order that it
will attract students to pursue journalism as a career. He further
stated that all FSM supports freedom of the press and encourage
responsible journalism.

The Micronesian Media Studies Program proposal including course
outlines and contents will be presented to the COM-FSM Curriculum
Committee late August or early September for its approval, says
Thomas Panholzer in a telephone interview, an English Associate
professor who will, in all likelihood, be responsible for developing
the curriculum and selecting suitable text books. The course outline
must meet the accreditation standards and requirements compatible to
other colleges in the United States.

COM-FSM Curriculum Committee is composed of the various department
heads or their representatives who after critically review a proposal
gives it approval or disapproval of a proposal.

Saying he is optimistic about the proposal, Panholzer says he
anticipates inclusion of such courses as Introductory to Photography;
Introductory to Journalism, 101 and 246, Ethics in Journalism; News
writing; Speech Communication; Introduction to Public Speaking;
Electronic media; Comparative Journalism, etc.

He sees potential benefits that such fields may offer for public
relations persons in government and in the private sectors such as
advertisement writers for the stores and for free lance writers who
can sell their materials to news media organizations.

If the Committee approves the proposal and if there are at least
seven students enrolled, the course may begin as early as January
1998. With an additional teaching staff and an enrollment from 15 to
20 students, full implementation can begin by September 1998,
Panholzer said.