Mobile Journalism

Overview

Technology is regularly changing our approach to newsgathering. For media practitioners, mobile journalism is a non-threatening digital storytelling toolkit to create a content stream and a bridge to transition audience between screens and breaking news, as well as, web TV platforms. Smartphones are being used to provide content that requires a quick turnaround for websites and for when traditional crews may not be available. They are also being used to edit stories, file transfer back to stations and even provide live broadcasts in difficult situations.

The convergence of mobile technologies has also resulted in unprecedented opportunities for citizens at grassroots levels to create and publish their voice on a global stage. With just a smartphone, some multimedia, camera, writing, editing and publishing skills, anyone is ready to “mojo” anywhere there is connectivity. User generated stories (USG) empower citizens with digital skills that transform their alternative voice into a more mainstream form.

Hence, this course will expose you to the various approaches in making better use of your mobile phone to capture and edit stories.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Shoot video and learn how to frame subjects using well-established cinematography techniques using a smartphone
Edit and publish empowering digital stories using simple apps

This course is for you if

You’re a media enthusiast who wants to experiment with the use of a smartphone as a tool to gather and present stories.
You are a media practitioner who wants to get a better sense of how smartphones can be used to enhance your newsroom activities and increase engagement with your audiences.
You are a fresh school leaver who wants to pursue a career in journalism and learn the ropes of how to use your smartphone in the gathering and dissemination of news and the many ways to make the most of this technology.