I have done a 5-hour course on journalism, and it was an excellent learning experience that covered both technical skills and ethical foundations for thriving in media and communication. Here’s what I took away from it:
The course began with an introduction called "What’s News?", where I learned the essence of news and its significance in society. I explored the 5W questions (Who, What, Where, When, Why) that form the backbone of any well-structured news story.
A key part of the course was understanding news sources—how to identify, evaluate, and manage reliable sources for trustworthy reporting. Then, in "Putting your news together," I learned how to organize stories cohesively to create engaging narratives.
The ethical side of journalism was also a big focus. In "Fairness in the news," I explored the importance of being impartial and maintaining credibility. I also got hands-on insights into visual journalism through modules like "What does the camera see?" and "Camera Setup," which covered the technical skills for capturing impactful footage.
Practical skills for producing professional content were a highlight of this course. Modules like "Film for the Editor" taught me how to shoot with the editing process in mind, while "Indoor Interviews" and "Flash Outdoor Interviews" prepared me for conducting interviews in various settings. The course also emphasized techniques to get the best responses during interviews.
On the technical side, I learned about audio equipment in "How many mikes do I need?" and "How to place a neck microphone" for optimal sound quality. I also dived into audio mixing with a module called "To mix or not to mix?", which simplified the process of achieving balanced sound in productions.
One of the most creative lessons was "How to make a Green Screen with no money," where I learned resourceful ways to create professional effects on a budget. Additionally, the course provided an understanding of copyright laws in "The FAIR USE of Copyrighted Materials," which was crucial for navigating legal aspects of media production.
By the end of the course, I felt confident in my ability to create high-quality, ethical, and engaging journalism content while also handling technical aspects like filming, editing, and audio with skill. It was a truly enriching experience!
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