Lawrence and Douglas County

Lawrence and Douglas county

Citizen Journalism Academy gives public inside look at media

By Dennis Anderson

August 27, 2006

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Here's your chance to become a journalist.

The World Company and the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Kansas University are creating a Citizen Journalism Academy.

The first CJA class will learn from educators and practicing journalists about the processes and standards that help translate community activities and events into "news."

Class members will learn about writing, photography, videography and blogging, and get hands-on experience.

There is no charge for the class.

"Professional journalists have long sought the expertise and opinions of citizens they cover," said Ann Brill, dean of the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications. "The First Amendment protects freedom of speech and of the press, and does not limit that protection to only professional journalists. What is different in this era of global, instantaneous and open access to information is the ability for anyone with an Internet connection to reach a vast and diverse audience.

"What the Citizen Journalism Academy seeks to do is create an understanding of professional media standards and practices, while teaching citizens how to more effectively communicate directly with the public."

Citizen Journalism Academy

The first Citizen Journalism Academy, a collaboration of The World Company and the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Kansas University, will be open to up to 25 individuals and will take place five consecutive Mondays beginning Oct. 2. Apply online at www2.ljworld.com/cja.

Academy graduates will have an appreciation for the work of journalists and may have the skills enabling them to produce content and participate in local media.

"This class is an opportunity to see how journalism really works," said Cody Howard, news director for 6News. "Participants will get an inside look at what makes news, how it's presented and how to deal with ethical dilemmas. It can also be an avenue to learn how to get your voice and your news out to the community on a bigger scale."

Classes will be on five consecutive Monday evenings, beginning Oct. 2.

Tell us about yourself and why you want to be selected for this first class of up to 25 individuals. We need your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address, plus a paragraph or two describing your reasons for wanting to be selected.

CJA applications can be mailed to the Lawrence Journal-World, 609 New Hampshire, P.O. Box 888, Lawrence, KS 66044; e-mailed to cja@ljworld.com; or completed online at www2.ljworld.com/cja.

The deadline is Sept. 15.

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