(available with advance planning only)
Press Relations
Set 1: Press Relations for NGOs (2X90 min.)
Learn the communication techniques that will enable you to speak on equal terms with the powerful. Learn how the media works, and let your voice to be heard!
Set 2: Press Relations for Diplomats of EU Countries
(90 min. with optional 30. min. follow-up; available also as a two-day workshop)
Course: Introduction to Journalism
(16 lectures - each 90 min.)
1) Intro1: a) What is journalism? How it is different from PR? Branches of
journalism: print journalism vs. broadcast journalism b) Standards of
professional ethics in journalism; their origins; international documents that
relate journalism ethics.
2) Intro2: a) Freedom of press vs. accountability of journalists to society:
accuracy, truthfulness, balance, objectivity. Is objectivity possible?
3) Where does the journalism starts? basics of reporting: branches, styles,
techniques, problems. Reporters notebook.
4) News: gathering information, writing the news; presenting the news in
broadcast journalism. Hands-on: writing news.
5) Writing an article: gathering and organizing the information; writing and
editing the article. Hands on: writing a short article.
6) Basics of an interview: techniques, styles, approaches. Preparatory work
before the interview; first contact with the interview partner; conducting an
interview; processing the material. Writing notes during the interview.
7) Press conference: how to prepare before and how to act during a press
conference. The professional techniques used by spokespeople and journalists.
Hands-on: simulation of a press conference.
8) Hosting a round-table: organizing and conducting a round-table discussion.
Basic techniques, problems and troubleshooting. Hands-on: imitation of a
round-table discussion.
9) Working with information: finding sources, consulting experts, evaluating
the information and processing it. Hands-on work with information.
10) Analytic and investigative writing: how to gather background information;
how to access hard-to-find information; how to organize, analyze and verify
information.
11) Epithets, geographical names, names of movements and organizations that
may make coverage and and impartiality questionable. Hands on work with some
problematic cases.
12) Working on special topics. Learning about your special field, terminology,
reputable experts. Creating your own style. Hands-on: writing a short story on
special topic.
13) Restrictions on press freedom and how to deal with them. State, military
and commercial secrets. International organizations defending journalists.
Hands-on: writing a short essay on the tendencies of press freedom in your
country or town.
14) The dangerous aspects of the journalistic work: conflict and post-conflict
areas. How to prepare for a dangerous assignment. Hands-on: safety assessment
exercise.
15) Public vs. commercial media. hands-on: writing an essay on what you want to do as a journalist.
16) Overview lecture and discussion about the tendencies and problems in your
country's, town's media. Students are asked to evaluate the
applicability of the course to their situation and make suggestions for
improvement.
