- Mar. 15: The State of the News Media
- Mar. 2: Lessons to be Learned by Legacy Media
- Feb. 18: New News Site Mirrors Others
Learning Modules
These modules are designed to provide both professional and citizen journalists with step-by-step instruction on skills to help you launch or improve a web site based on user-generated content. The modules have been created by KCNN’s network of professionals.
Outside-the-Box Community Engagement
Engaging readers is why your online news community exists. You can't use the wisdom of the crowds if the crowd isn't talking. Without fast and substantive engagement, you might as well publish a newspaper. So when you build it and they don't come, what do you do, short of waiting?Pulitzer Center’s Media on the Move
This learning module is filled with text and videos that will guide journalists from story idea, through the reporting and distribution process. This approach treats the issues covered as campaigns, not just stand-alone stories. That means wide collaborations, embracing new technologies and taking the journalism out to classrooms and universities to engage the next generation.New Media Makers Toolkit
This learning module is filled with original reporting that will help you learn about the innovative community news initiatives that are cropping up around the United States - and securing grants from foundations that have not traditionally supported journalism. In the case studies and accompanying videos, you'll meet citizen journalists and professional journalists who have launched news initiatives that either partner with or supplement their metro news outlets. A key part of this toolkit is a searchable database, where you can see the kinds of news ventures that foundations have supported since 2005.Making the Most of Metrics
Whether you're running a small hyperlocal community Web site or a large regional citizen media site, you can use free or inexpensive tools to measure how many people are visiting your site and where they like to go most. With the right analytics tools, you can also get very specific details in addition to total traffic numbers. This knowledge will then empower you to improve your site, increase traffic and give accurate information to potential advertisers and sponsors.Interviewing: A practical guide for citizen journalists
Interviews are integral to good journalism. They provide more than just additional voices; they provide facts, expertise, balance, depth and credibility. They also breathe life into information that might otherwise fall flat. Whether you already interview or are daunted by the prospect, learn what types of interviews you should go for and how they can improve your journalism. Figure out where to quote or paraphrase. Learn how to navigate the unique ethical pitfalls that confront citizen journalists. Module developed by Lynne Perri and Angie Chuang at American University's School of Communication.The Freebies List for Frugal Journalists
In the era of new media, it's important for new skills to be learned to keep up with growing audience demand. Editing audio and video for the Web is commonplace now, as is using the Internet for research and sharing. While there are plenty of good software programs out there to buy, comparable ones can be found all over the Internet for free or next-to-free. We have compiled a growing list of our favorites for anyone to use. Comment on the ones you find useful and let us know if you find any more out there.Launching a Nonprofit News Site
The number of nonprofit news ventures is increasing rapidly and you may be thinking about becoming a part of it. This guide will walk you through the process - including the hurdles and the requirements - whether you are seeking to establish a federally recognized 501(c)3 organization or a project within a university or college.The Citizen Journalist’s Guide to Open Government
This extensive, multimedia e-learning module helps new media makers understand how to obtain public records and get into public meetings. The guide features a unique, interactive map that tells citizens how they can locate open-government information on each of the 50 state Web sites. Produced by Geanne Rosenberg, founding chair of Baruch College's new undergraduate Department of Journalism and the Writing Professions.Twelve Tips for Optimizing Your Site for Search Engines
There's good news for even solo citizen journalists who want to improve how their sites are found through search engines like Google: Your own homegrown search engine optimization can get you many of the benefits of a professional retooling. Search engine optimization, or SEO, just means making your site as easy to find and highly ranked as possible by search engines like Google, Yahoo, MSN and Ask.com. That way, people using those engines to look for relevant content can find what you have to offer. That's increasingly important as more and more visitors find their way to sites like yours not by typing in your Web address, but by plugging a few choice words into their favorite search engine. Learn some easy ways to boost your ranking and get more traffic.Twitter Tips: Today’s Must-Have Tool for Citizen Journalists
Twitter has finally hit its stride as a leading tool for finding and sharing timely information from all sorts of places and sources. Its usefulness for breaking news is obvious. However, Twitter is equally useful for tracking ongoing stories and issues, getting fast answers or feedback, finding sources, building community, collaborating on coverage, and discovering emerging issues or trends. Learn how to sign up, log on and start posting "tweets" to enhance your hyperlocal coverage.Top 10 Rules for Limiting Legal Risk
If you're running a citizen media site or contributing to one, these 10 rules will help you avoid potential legal piftalls. Get advice in videos from Harvard Berkman Center experts and Media Law Resource Center attorneys. Module produced by Geanne Rosenberg, associate professor at City University of New York's Graduate School of Journalism and Baruch College.Read the press release from CUNY.
