The NRK journalist knocked out 12 other applicants. He takes over from Ida Titlestad Dahlback.
Tjørhom started as an intern at Nynorsk media center in 2013. Since then, he has worked both domestically and abroad in NRK, in addition to half a dozen years as a communications consultant at Norwegian Church Aid.
For the past 15 years, Africa has been a common thread in what southerners have studied and become interested in.
– I’m very interested in the continent. There are so many stories, and a lot to get acquainted with.
– Aware of the responsibilities that come with it
Tjørhom has been bidding for one year in Mali. He then worked in the village of Douentza in northern Mali, among other places in a kindergarten for Norwegian children and with computer education for Malian youth.
– It will be exciting to take on the job. It’s an opportunity to do something I’m really passionate about.
He points out that many Norwegians are preoccupied with Africa, and that they expect balanced and good coverage of an entire continent with over 50 countries. Something that is challenging.
– I am fully aware of the responsibilities and expectations that come with it, says the 35-year-old.
– Confident that he will do a great job
Foreign Editor Sigurd Falkenberg Mikkelsen has many words of praise for Tjørhom.
– Vegard has solid knowledge of Africa and a great commitment to the continent. He is a prolific news journalist and a good storyteller. I feel confident that he will do a great job for NRK.
He says that the Africa office is an important part of NRK’s correspondent network with 11 correspondents around the world.
– With his presence, the Africa correspondent is strategically important for our commitment to journalism from and about Africa, he states.
Wants to get close to African youth
Some of what Tjørhom wants to work for is to get closer to the average African. To go to a market and seek out people. He wants to get Africa more into the global picture.
– There will soon be very large-scale political analyzes of conflicts and war, and less of the human part of it, he says.
NRK has a strategy to reach younger and broader people. It will be important for Tjørhom to get in touch with African youth. He thinks this can also be good for the European debate.
– Especially when it comes to migration. Migration does not occur in the Mediterranean. They often come from Africa. We need to understand more of what motivates them to embark on such a dangerous journey.
Tjørhom has big ambitions before he enters the new role.
– I do not believe that a journalist alone can manage to do justice to the coverage that an entire continent deserves. But I will at least do my best to fill that role.
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