Ascension : PRESS RELEASE
Submitted by The Islander (Islander Internet Editor) 04.12.2008 (Article Archived on 18.12.2008)

GARRON YON GAINS MASTERS DEGREE IN MASS COMMUNICATIONS

The Deputy Chief Secretary has been advised that the Board of Examiners have recommended that Garron Yon, Public Relations/Information Officer in the Office of the Chief Secretary (OCS) be awarded the Masters Degree in Mass Communications with the University of Leicester.

Garron studied for this by Distance Learning and his course commenced in October 2006 sponsored by SHG.  The aim was to provide him with the knowledge and research expertise to address a wide range of questions in media and communications such as the changing social uses of media; media production, organization and control; issues of management, training and ethics in media practice; media regulation; comparative cross-national studies of media; analysis of media texts; the implications of media for the knowledge, beliefs and behaviours of audiences; media technologies; the contribution of media to economic growth, nation-building, community development, and individual identity and well-being.

The course comprised some nine modules over twenty four months and culminated in the submission of his dissertation in October 2008 entitled “Public Opinion, Mass Communications and the Challenges of Communicating in a Small Society”.

Garron started his career in July 2000 as a Clerk/Assistant Journalist with the St Helena News Media Services.  He was appointed to his current post as Public Relations/Information Officer in the OCS in December 2001.

The Deputy Chief Secretary, Garron’s Line Manager has said “I am very proud of Garron’s magnificent achievement and the award of an MA with merit is a fitting reward for his hard work, dedication and the amount of time he had to put into his studies”.

 His colleagues in the OCS congratulate Garron on this well deserved award and wish him well in his future career.

Office of the Chief Secretary, The Castle

1^st December 2008