Videojournalism specialist option in development

The NCTJ’s new Videojournalism for Online specialist option is close to completion and will be available for centres to deliver as part of the new Diploma in Journalism qualification from September.

The new 60-hour programme of study aims to equip trainees with an understanding of the basic techniques used in videojournalism, the equipment and software used, scripting and putting together a video package for a news website.

Lloyd Bracey, the NCTJ’s chief examiner for video and online journalism said:

“The videojournalism module is a long-awaited and much needed addition to the core skills suite, aimed at the increasing expectations of news organisations not traditionally associated with audio-video content to generate online content.

“It takes the trainee through basic elements of gathering material for online use – bearing in mind the wide range of ways in which such material is likely to appear – from simple clips to fully packaged reports. It’s been a challenging syllabus to design to strike the balance between necessary skills and advanced skills, but the resulting 60 hours of study will provide trainee journalists with the knowledge they need both to produce useful material and to inform their future career choices.”

Video production and editing skills will be assessed with candidates being required to produce a news video package while on course and sitting a two-hour video-editing exam at the end of the course.

Twelve tutors from NCTJ-accredited courses attended a recent workshop which outlined the syllabus content and assessments and some useful feedback was given which will be used to inform the final formats.

Further workshops will be held to explain the new option with the next one taking place on Tuesday 14^th September at the University of Salford. To book click here. Contact Lyn Jones for a copy of the draft programme of study, lyn.jones@nctj.com