Advanced
For those who have mastered the basic requirements for producing quality journalism and want to know more.
False equivalence and false balance
Journalists can sometimes present an inaccurate or false version of events by trying too hard to 'balance' a story or incorrectly treating elements of a story as being roughly equal.
Creating a strong fact-checking system
It’s the job of the journalist to try to find and present the truth, but fact-checking isn't easy. It requires a methodological approach to verification.
Investigating election irregularities
What should journalists look out for when covering elections? We look at five areas.
Old news is no news, updates are essential
Journalism involves an ongoing commitment to update and rework the material we are producing to ensure that it remains relevant, reflects latest developments, and continues to inform.
Specialisation in journalism
Some journalists decide to become specialists in specific areas, such as health, crime, the environment etc. These are known as "rounds" or "beats."
Handling story leaks and tip-offs
A critical factor for journalists when handling and disseminating leaked material is the need to take account of the motives of the leaker.
Brand values in news
All news organisations have values. They are the biggest part of the organisation’s brand. Journalists need to uphold these brand values at all times.
Editorial independence during elections
Election coverage is one of the most critical responsibilities of the media. It shapes public discourse, informs voters, and plays a vital role in safeguarding democracy.
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Scenario: Conflict of interests
In this scenario you are a political correspondent working for a national public service broadcaster. A lobbying company offers you a significant amount of money to train lobbyists in how to influence the media. What do you do?
Refresher: Digital newsgathering and production
This compressed one-day course provides an intensive overview of the essential skills and strategy required to run a sustainable, audience-focused digital news operation.
Impartiality in journalism
For journalists, being impartial means presenting information without demonstrating favouritism towards any specific viewpoint or party.