Community Journalism: Digital and Social Media

Course Overview

What skills and knowledge will you acquire during this course?
This course will provide learners with a range of skills and knowledge related to community journalism, digital and social media. Learners will gain an understanding of setting up a community website, exploring different forms of community, identifying and building an audience, creating content and establishing a workflow to sustain the site, using Wordpress, Twitter and Facebook, managing an online community, and abiding by media law and ethics. Additionally, learners will gain insights into the experiences of those already operating community sites, as well as core journalism principles, skills and practice.

How does this course contribute to professional growth?
This course contributes to professional growth by providing learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to launch and sustain their own community or hyperlocal sites. Learners will gain an understanding of the field of community journalism, as well as insights into the experiences of those already operating community sites. They will also learn core journalism principles, skills and practice, as well as hands-on skills in creating and sustaining hyperlocal sites. This course is beneficial for practicing journalists or more experienced students who are interested in learning about current developments in hyperlocal and community journalism in the digital environment.

Is this course suitable for preparing further education?
This course is suitable for preparing further education as it covers core journalism principles, skills and practice, as well as hands-on skills in creating and sustaining hyperlocal sites. It is open to anyone with an interest in journalism or social and digital media, and in connecting their communities online, so no prior qualifications are required. Learners will gain useful insights and practical skills, as well as a broader understanding of the field and how it’s developed, as well as insights into the experiences of those already operating community sites.