Free training from professional journalists

This is a six-day course held over three weeks

Next course: November 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26

Number of participants: up to 10

This is open to anyone who lives or works in Newham, Waltham Forest, Tottenham, Enfield and City of London.

What you will need:

Access to a computer and Zoom video conferencing (this software is available free and is easy to use. Please contact us if you need assistance with this)
A quiet, comfortable place where you can work undisturbed and where you are free to take part without disturbing others

Currently, we are only able to deliver this course in English, but if you are able to help us provide the course in other languages, we would very much like to hear from you.

The course aims to:

Provide citizen journalists with skills they need to communicate more effectively
Improve writing skills among people across the borough
Help local charities and other organisations to get their messages across more effectively
Help people understand the difference between journalism and other forms of communication
Provide some insight into how we can ensure that our journalism is fair, accurate, ethical and legal
Inspire and encourage people to write about the local events and issues that concern them, building their skills base as well as their confidence
Act as a starting point for local people who think they may want a career in the media
Explore the various types of media platforms, such as print, online and social media
Help potential writers identify the types of articles that would suit them best – news writing, interviews, reviews, features, letters, press releases, etc.
Make it fun

Course outcomes

At the end of the course you will be able to:

Understand the core values of journalism and good communication
Identify what makes a news or feature item for Newham Voices
Submit an article or letter that is of a high enough standard for publication
Understand the key elements of news writing
Carry out an interview
Understand the functions and key elements of a press release
Write a blog/opinion article or review
Identify opportunities presented by social media

Contact: info@newhamvoices.co.uk

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

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