Applications for this course are now closed
Learn the skills to become a news broadcaster at your station!
The Community Media Training Organisation (CMTO) is inviting applications for our Introduction to Journalism in Community Media Course.
This is a FREE 5-week online learning course focusing on community journalism and designed to empower community broadcasters with the skills, knowledge and confidence to become community journalists.
This online course was designed in partnership with Dr Heather Anderson and Dr Bridget Backhaus with support from Griffith University.
“Would recommend this course to anyone. excellent beginner content.” – CJTP Participant
Who is the course for?
If you’re interested in current affairs and news writing this course is for you!
The Introduction to Journalism in Community Media course is suitable for broadcasters who have no prior experience/formal qualifications in journalism. It has been designed to develop the skills and experience of community broadcasters who are interested in journalism, news and storytelling.
Who is eligible?
Priority will be given to community broadcasters who are volunteering in their station’s newsroom and have availability to complete the course.
This course covers a range of topics from interviewing to audio editing, but is most well suited for broadcasters who are keen to increase their skills and confidence as journalists.
If you’re looking to improve your interviewing skills for your music show, this course may not be quite what you’re looking for. CMTO offers self paced courses as well as a massive range of broadcast courses, so chat to your training coordinator and ask about applying for training at your station!
What is covered?
- Community journalism ethics
- Why local storytelling is so important
- How to report on national issues from a local perspective
- Writing for radio news and current affairs programs
- Interviewing techniques
- How to record and edit audio
Now also including resources on:
- Sports broadcasting
- What makes a great audio story
- Cultural sensitivity
- Creating Social Media Content
- Visual Journalism
- News Writing
- Misinformation, disinformation and fake news
- Journalism & National Security
What is the delivery format?
This course will be delivered via online learning modules with live webinars featuring industry professionals and assessors.
What is the time commitment?
5-6 hours per week (1 hour webinar, 4-5 hours online modules) over five weeks.
What are the Assignments?
- Edited Interview: Upload one 3-5 minute edited interview recording as an MP3 file (including a newsreader's intro and bulletin music (music is optional)).
- News Bulletin: Write and record a five-story news bulletin targeted at your community radio station/program audience. Must include a PDF script and MP3 file.
- Current Affairs Pitch: Using a template provided, pitch a 5-10 minute current affairs story including sources, interview questions and narrative structure.
Opportunity to produce a story for The Wire:
Course graduates will have the opportunity to take their current affairs story pitch from paper to the airwaves! Graduates will be supported through a partnership with a supervising producer from The Wire, with the final story broadcast nationally.
Important dates:
- Applications Open: Thursday 31st August
- Applications Close: Monday 18th September
- Course Start Date: Monday 25th September
- Webinar one: Wednesday 4th October, 6pm-7pm AEDT
- Webinar two: Wednesday 11th October, 6pm-7pm AEDT
- Webinar three: Wednesday 18th October, 6pm-7pm AEDT
- Webinar four: Wednesday 25th October, 6pm-7pm AEDT
- Course Finish Date: Monday 30th October
Fees
This is a fully subsidised course thanks to the generous funding from the Collier Charitable Trust and the Community Broadcasting Foundation.
I have learnt how to develop the narrative to ensure you tell the story directly from those voices in our community who often don’t get the opportunity to do so.” – CJTP Participant
Apply as soon as possible for this fantastic journalism training opportunity.