CNN has announced of its plans to launch a new Digital Leadership programme that will provide journalists and executives from its worldwide partners “the very latest technological innovations in news gathering and production.”

Sixteen journalists from Kenya have benefited from the CNN Journalism Fellowship (CJF), which is now part of new Digital Leadership programme since Ted Turner launched the initiative in 1989.

The inaugural Digital Leadership intake started on 7 July, and will see participants from Brazil, Israel, Bahrain, Vietnam, France, Germany, Philippines and Taiwan immersed in CNN’s digital experience and expertise. CNN hopes the initiative will enable the participants to empower their organizations with more effective multi-platform digital content and strategies.

The ten-day programme will embed executive-level newsroom and digital leaders into CNN’s digital multi-platform operations and the cutting-edge technology companies of digital media.

Intensive training from top executives at CNN as well as collaborative sessions with top technology firms across publishing and social media span:

•         Strategies in technology, mobile devices and digital content management

•         Workshops and interactive seminars on newsgathering, content curation, acquisition, publishing, distribution, research and analytics, breaking news, monetisation and the relationship between broadcast and digital divisions

Participants will also attend an innovation session at Turner Media Camp, Turner Broadcasting’s own in house start-up incubator.

The Digital Leadership programme is part of the CNN Journalism Fellowship (CJF), a professional enrichment programme designed for CNN’s international broadcast affiliate partners.

“Establishing this training programme is a reflection of the way technology has revolutionised the way stories are told and the speed at which they are delivered,” said Greg Beitchman, Vice President, Content and Partnerships, at CNN International.

“Through this tailored and future-looking programme, CNN is delivering more value to our important worldwide affiliate network to help our partners adapt and evolve in a digital landscape. Journalists and executives from any of our global partners who participate in this immersive experience will leave with a greater understanding of digital strategies from CNN and some of Silicon Valley’s finest digital trailblazers.”