MP5005 - Hyper-Local Journalism

You will learn though lectures, workshops and independent learning. Each lecture will address concepts and identify key technologies to be used at workshops for the production of a portfolio of digital journalism based on a news subject that you will have chosen by week 2. The teaching strategy will be geared toward providing you with editorial, writing and technological advice, which you will use to practice the production of hyperlocal journalism based on the internet and over a sustained period of time.

You will be supported in a variety of manners: the module tutor is available to discuss issues both during and outside scheduled teaching. Tutors can discuss issues during pre-determined Office Hours each week, and also via email. Additionally, information, teaching materials and other support is available through the Electronic Learning Portal system.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
• A demonstration of competency in the production of multimedia outputs, including audio, video, photos and graphs in a professional setting.(LO2)
• The ability to demonstrate editorial skills through story selection, writing, online presentation and research.(LO3)
• The demonstration of an applied knowledge in the development and maintenance through engagement with audiences and news sources (LO4)
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• The ability to originate stories, conduct journalistic research. (LO1)
• A demonstration of competency in the production of multimedia outputs, including audio, video, photos and graphs in a professional setting.(LO2)
• The ability to demonstrate editorial skills through story selection, writing, online presentation and research.(LO3)
• The demonstration of an applied knowledge in the development and maintenance through engagement with audiences and news sources (LO4)
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• The demonstration of an applied knowledge in the development and maintenance through engagement with audiences and news sources (LO4)

Workshops will be organised so you will engage in editorial news-making processes involving your peers and tutor to assess the relevance of information, the latter’s importance to a specific audience, and the best tools to enhance how stories are presented. The dynamics of these sessions will be structured in such a way as to simulate actual newsroom environments. LO 1-4

Half-way into the semester, you will work towards developing a contact list of 15 news contributors who would be suitable to produce high-quality factual content; at least four of such contacts will figure in your final assignment. Your contact list will need to be accompanied by a 500 word report in which you will reflect upon the process of initiating contact with sources and of nurturing a journalistic relationship with them. LO 4

You will be expected to post two digital multimedia news packages on a platform of your choice such as Wix or WordPress. Content will have to be related to a news subject of public and topical relevance for a local audience, previously chosen by you and approved by the tutor. LO 1-4

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The rise of the internet has caused a revolution in the media. Traditional newspapers, TV and radio stations have all had to develop an online presence in order to both collect and deliver news. However, small communities and organisations have been given the opportunity to have a voice in a way that would have been unimaginable until very recently. This module uses new technologies to develop your skills in producing works of journalism at a hyperlocal level, working in an electronic newsroom using industry standard software. Assessment is via the production of a portfolio of ethically informed and original works of journalism. The module offers development of a variety of transferable skill sets which will be particularly useful to those planning a career path in the media.