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Introduction to Journalism and Reporting

Explore what makes good journalism as you learn about its origins and where news reporting stands today.

1,895 enrolled on this course

Introduction to Journalism and Reporting

1,895 enrolled on this course

  • 4 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    4 weeks
  • Weekly study

    2 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
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    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn more

Step into the world of news reporting

On this four-week course, you’ll be introduced to different types of journalism and news reporting today as well as exploring that of the past.

Learning from the experts at the University of Kent, you’ll go behind the scenes to see how news content is created.

You’ll discover the best practices from industry experts to help hone your skills as a budding journalist.

Develop your interviewing skills

To examine the key pillars of good journalism, you’ll learn how to find reliable and relevant sources as well as techniques to improve your communication and interviewing skills.

You’ll identify the different types of interviews before trying out your skills as you prepare to conduct your own interview.

You’ll examine your perceptions of news and the behaviour of some publications before learning about the ethical and legal frameworks for journalists.

This will help you explore ethical dilemmas journalists may face as you think about what you would do in particular situations.

On the course, you’ll also get the opportunity to put what you have learned into practice during different activities such as creating a news story, carrying out an interview, and taking part in an interactive quiz.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Exploring journalism and reporting

    • Female journalist holding microphone presenting to a camera

      Welcome to the course

      Welcome to Exploring Journalism and Reporting – a course designed to introduce you to the building blocks of good, authoritative and engaging journalism – and get you creating some of your own.

    • Stack of newspapers sitting on a laptop keyboard

      Where do we get our news?

      TV, radio, websites, social media, newspapers – there are so many ways to get our news. Which is your favourite medium?

    • Black and white image of retro printing press putting out completed newspapers

      The changing shape of journalism

      Let’s take a look at the origins of modern journalism and where it is going today.

    • Mobile phone displaying the Facebook newsfeed resting on a newspaper

      Key forms of journalism

      Let’s take a closer look now at different forms of journalism and news platforms.

    • Midsection of woman writing in a notebook at a table

      Weekly wrap-up

      Lead Educator Angela Harrison reflects on what we’ve covered this week and looks ahead to what’s coming next week.

  • Week 2

    Vital ingredients of good journalism

    • Young woman answering to female journalists on the street wearing COVID face masks

      Welcome to Week 2

      Welcome to Week 2 of this ExpertTrack on Exploring Journalism and Reporting. We are going to take a closer look at some of the vital ingredients of good journalism.

    • A collection of UK newspaper front pages about the US presidential inauguration

      What is news?

      What is news and what makes something ‘news-worthy’ - worthy of reporting? Let’s explore this in the next few steps.

    • Close up of a notebook, pen and microphone

      The building blocks of good journalism

      Journalism has changed in terms of the way it is delivered and consumed, but it is built on many of the same foundations as the journalism of the past. Let’s take a look at some of the key ‘building blocks’ of good journalism.

    • Blank newspapers with no headlines stacked up

      Create a headline and intro

      You’re soon going to put what you have been learning into practice by writing your own headline and introduction to a story you think should be covered. But first, get some tips on what makes a good headline and intro.

    • Midsection of woman writing in a notebook at a table

      Weekly wrap-up

      Let’s step back and remind ourselves of what we’ve covered this week.

  • Week 3

    How free are journalists and what controls are there on them?

    • Stack of newspapers wrapped in chains

      Welcome to Week 3

      There is a lot of talk about the importance of a ‘free press’ or ‘free media’ in democracies, but what are the boundaries or limits to this? This week we are looking at the legal and ethical frameworks journalists work in.

    • Protest placards that say end the Murdoch mafia, leaning against railings

      The legal and ethical framework for journalists

      There are limits to the freedom of the media - laws and ethical codes journalists need to work within. We will look at some of these boundaries and at some of the criticisms levelled at journalists accused of crossing them.

    • Press reporters holding microphones around a distressed woman

      Ethical dilemmas

      Journalists strive to behave ethically and sometimes face difficult ethical decisions. In these steps, we look at another key ethics guide and think about what we would do in particular situations.

    • Collection of UK newspaper front pages about Meghan Markle

      Case study analysis

      Let’s examine the controversy over the media’s treatment of the UK’s Duke and Duchess of Sussex - Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

    • A group of reporters around Donald Trump as he speaks

      What do we mean by 'the Public Interest'?

      Journalists should report on matters which are in the ‘Public Interest’ and their investigations can expose wrong-doing and injustices. Let’s examine what this term means and look at some key journalistic investigations.

    • Midsection of woman writing in a notebook at a table

      Weekly wrap-up

      Let’s recap on what we’ve covered this week and look ahead to what’s coming up next week.

  • Week 4

    What makes a good interview or quote?

    • Video camera records a journalist doing a live interview

      Welcome to Week 4

      This week is all about the power of a good interview and the quotes you get from them. It is through an interview that you hear a person’s story, their point of view or important facts -- all vital ingredients for good stories.

    • A male hand holding a magnifying glass over newspaper text

      Exploring the purpose of interviews and what makes a good quote?

      We will think about what journalistic interviews are for and how the ‘quotes’ or broadcast clips from them are used. We will also look at how to identify a good quote.

    • Protester being interviewed by a journalist on camera

      Different types of interviews

      We will take a closer look at some different types of journalistic interviews, from big ‘set-piece’ events featuring famous people to the ‘vox pop’ of people on the street.

    • Adhesive note papers with question mark and questions hanging on rope

      Getting ready to do your own interview

      Get some tips on how to interview people and how to phrase questions for journalistic interviews before composing some questions of your own.

    • Female newsreader in studio text behind her says breaking news

      End of the course

      Let’s reflect on all we have learned this week and throughout this course. Test your memory or understanding of what we’ve covered in a simple quiz.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

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Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explore key forms of journalism and the history of journalism
  • Describe the foundations of good journalism
  • Assess headlines and introductions
  • Identify the legal and ethical frameworks for journalists
  • Discuss the concept of journalism done in 'the Public Interest'
  • Explain the principles behind news-writing, interviewing and selecting good quotes

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in studying journalism at university or college.

It will also be of interest to avid consumers of news or budding writers who want to learn about how it is made, or those looking for a career change.

If you want to further your knowledge, you may be interested in these courses from the same provider. They share similar subjects and overall learning outcomes:

Who developed the course?

The University of Kent logo

The University of Kent

The University of Kent, the UK’s European university, is one of the country’s most dynamic universities. Established in 1965, it now has 19,850 students studying at its various campuses.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$79/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 4 Mar 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

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