Journalists develop information through interviews and sources. The most successful journalists quickly master these important skill sets. The production of journalism relies on several elements: newsgathering, interviewing sources, researching and trying to find as much information as possible. The course will also teach you how to where to find information, interviewing skills and how to process information from various sources for publication.
This course is part of the Become a Journalist: Report the News! Specialization
Gathering and Developing the News
Offered By
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
13 hours to complete
Earning and keeping trust
How - and where - journalists obtain information can determine if their news reports will be deemed credible and trustworthy by their audience. Finding the best sources for information and quotes is a process conducted by every professional journalist. You will learn the best ways to find information and sources for your reporting.
4 videos (Total 25 min), 5 quizzes
4 videos
Why should journalists use sources?6m
Obstacles to reporting8m
Why sources should trust us?4m
4 practice exercises
What are sources?4m
Why use sources?4m
Reporting obstacles4m
Working with sources8m
Week
23 hours to complete
Types of sources
Successful journalists understand the need to bring in different types of information and voices to create a strong and accurate news report. You will learn how journalists carefully consider sourcing, and how to effectively and ethically interact with sources.
4 videos (Total 27 min), 6 quizzes
5 practice exercises
Sources and diversity6m
Rules for dealing with sources4m
Protecting sources6m
News literacy and the public6m
Sourcing areas for journalists4m
Week
37 hours to complete
Interviewing
The interview is one of the most powerful tools of journalistic newsgathering. You will learn how journalists use interviews, the different forms it can take, how you can best prepare for it, and how to be sensitive to those who have been through trauma. A good interview can make a news report. And a bad interview can sink it.
4 videos (Total 25 min), 1 reading, 8 quizzes
4 videos
How to conduct effective interviews6m
How to conduct person-on-the-street interviews3m
Working with trauma survivors9m
1 reading
Interviewing scientists and others10m
5 practice exercises
Interview prep4m
Conducting the interview6m
Person-on-the-street interviews4m
Survivors of trauma4m
The interview8m
Week
43 hours to complete
Tools for finding sourcing
Technology and moving beyond typical sources is letting journalists reach more sources than ever before. You will learn how to use crowdsourcing, social media, press conferences and online resources as valuable tools to enhance your reporting.
4 videos (Total 28 min), 6 quizzes
4 videos
How journalists use social media7m
Using documents6m
How to navigate press conferences8m
5 practice exercises
Crowd sourcing4m
Social media and finding sources4m
Using documents4m
Press Conferences4m
Tools for Finding Sources4m
4.7
41 Reviews75%
started a new career after completing these courses
50%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
Top Reviews
I like the course and the teachers. I don't like the peer review because most of the students don't work hard enough on their reviews. I do want the challenge and the feedback.
This course was a great follow up to the first one. Knowing where to go to find sources is very important. I was especially intrigued by the section on crowd-sourcing content.
Instructors
Joanne Gerstner
Sports Journalist in ResidenceMichigan State University School of Journalism
Jeremy Steele
SpecialistMichigan State University School of Journalism
David Poulson
InstructorSchool of Journalism
Eric Freedman
InstructorSchool of Journalism
Joe Grimm
InstructorSchool of Journalism
Lucinda D. Davenport
Director & ProfessorSchool of Journalism
About Michigan State University
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 150 years.
One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
About the Become a Journalist: Report the News! Specialization
This Specialization will develop and enhance your understanding of the global field of journalism. You'll learn best practices and ethical standards for newsgathering processes and compiling a news report through hands-on projects, peer-to-peer feedback, and issue exploration. You will also study journalism's impact on societal issues and trends, plus explore career opportunities in newspapers, magazine, social media, Internet multimedia, television, radio, corporate and community journalism. The final Capstone project will guide you through the journalistic portfolio process, where you will conceptualize, report and complete a professional-quality news report.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
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