Fundamentals of journalism
This is a course in basic journalism skills designed for the many people who now use new media to publish news, views and information. For five hundred years, the privilege of publishing has been limited to a very few people – those with access to a printing press, radio microphone or television camera. Now, almost anyone can publish worldwide within minutes of doing so. But is this journalism?
How does a citizen journalist find out about things so that they can report facts and news – beyond mere lamentation? And what are the legal and ethical pitfalls of publishing facts that some people may prefer to keep private? Over the course of six weeks, this course teaches the basics of news writing, how to interview people to get important information, how to develop and manage your sources, and how to use your legal rights to access public information – and stay on the right side of the law – when you publish. We discuss the ethics of journalistic practice and conduct a mock investigation of local authorities. This course aims to empower interested citizens to better participate in environmental news.
Program
- What is a journalist and what is news;
- Attribution, verification and structure of news writing;
- Finding things: places, paper and people;
- More about interviews;
- Contacts and confidential sources;
- Applying skills and organizing material;
- Media law and impartiality.