Confidence in the field: A journalist’s guide to empowered reporting

One of the most important skills a journalist needs in their role is to be a great communicator.

Today, there are many methods of communication – including through social media, voice notes and email. But the more traditional modes are as important as ever – from picking up the phone to vox popping in the street to knocking on a stranger’s door.

These skills are essential to succeed in journalism – but they are, and always have been, daunting for those starting out in a reporting role.

This short course has been designed to support early-career journalists in gaining the confidence to develop skills involving in-person interactions. It is also ideal for anyone who has taken a break from reporting or for those who simply wish to refresh their skills.

This practical course includes the following:

• Planning and preparing for phone calls in different scenarios
• Guidance on handling difficult callers in the newsroom
• Guidance on approaching voxpops, death-knocks and other face-to-face interactions
• Tips to overcome fears when speaking with people in-person or on the phone
• Guidance on approaching authorities in court or a crime scene
• Guidance on coping with rejection and seeking support in difficult situations
• Case studies from journalists who share their own experiences

Course outcomes

• You will learn new techniques to improve face-to-face and phone communication
• You will learn the art of carrying out successful voxpops and door knocks
• You will learn coping mechanisms when facing on-the-job rejection
• You will learn how to overcome your fears when carrying out certain tasks
• You will feel more confident and supported to carry out these tricky tasks

This is an e-learning course and is accessible via the Journalism Skills Academy’s e-learning platform, which means you can enrol at any time and work through the course at your own pace. It will take around 45-60 minutes to complete and a completion certificate is available.