Online summer courses offered in media law & media ethics

This summer, you can earn college credits studying media ethics and/or media law -- all while tanning on the beach or lounging in your living room.

CubReporters.org's founder Mark Grabowki is teaching online courses on "Media Ethics" and "Free Speech, Media Law & Democracy" (a.k.a. Media Law) through Adelphi University, where he's a professor. The 3-credit classes feature video lectures, interactive exercises and class discussions, all of which can be done through your computer. You never need to set foot in an actual classroom.

In the 5-week Media Law class, students learn about the First Amendment, free speech, copyright, libel, protecting confidential sources, getting government records, Internet issues and other media law issues from a lawyer and former journalist.

The 5-week Media Ethics course examines fundamental ethical issues currently confronting journalism and mass communication. Students will learn about and assess ethical theories that will enable them to make discriminating moral judgments about dilemmas commonly faced within media-related professions. The course is taught by the author of two books on media ethics.

To register for a course, contact Adelphi University's Registrar Office by clicking here. For more info about the courses, click here to contact Mark. Space is limited, so register ASAP. Classes begin May 29 and end July 2.

3-week online college course in media law offered during winter break

While you're home from college for the holiday break, you can earn college credits studying media law -- all while lounging in your living room or skiing in the Poconos.

CubReporters.org's founder Mark Grabowki is teaching an online course on "Mass Communication Law" through Adelphi University, where he's a professor. The 3-credit classes feature video lectures, interactive exercises and class discussions, all of which can be done through your computer. You never need to set foot in an actual classroom.

In the 3-week class, students learn about the First Amendment, free speech, copyright, libel, protecting confidential sources, getting government records, cyberspace issues and other media law issues from a lawyer and former journalist.

For more info, click here to contact Mark. The online class begins in a few weeks, so register ASAP.

Online summer course in Media Law

This summer, you can earn 3 college credits studying media law -- all while tanning on the beach or lounging in your living room.

I'm teaching an online course on Mass Communication Law through Marist College, where I'm a professor. The 10-week class features video lectures and class discussions, which can be done through your computer. Learn about the First Amendment, free speech, copyright, libel, protecting confidential sources, getting government records, cyberspace issues and other media law issues from a lawyer and former journalist. You never need to set foot in an actual classroom.

For more info, click here. Register ASAP -- only five spots remain.

-Mark Grabowski

Location: Telecommute, Anywhere, United States

Online class in media law

This summer, you can earn 3 college credits studying media law -- all while sitting on the beach.

I'm teaching an online course on Mass Communication Law through Marist College, where I'm a professor. The 10-week class features video lectures and class discussions, which can be done through your computer. Learn about the First Amendment, free speech, copyright, libel, protecting sources, getting government records, cyberspace issues and other media law issues from a lawyer and former journalist. You never need to set foot in an actual classroom.

For more info, click here.

-Mark Grabowski

Location: Anywhere, Telecommute, United States

Take my college journalism course online

This summer, you can take my Introduction to Journalism course online.

My 10-week interactive online course is designed to teach students with little or no practical experience in journalism the process of reporting and writing the news. The 3-credit course is offered through Marist College, where I'm a full-time professor. Because the course is taught online, no traveling is required and you can take lessons when it's convenient for you.

The course will introduce students to the way reporters do their jobs – how they think, act and produce newsworthy stories. New media will also be covered. Students will learn by reading, studying, questioning, discussing and practicing the craft of journalism. They will learn how to report, interview, write and revise news stories – and become a more discerning consumer of news.

Lessons feature video lectures, interactive exercises and class discussions – all from the convenience of the student’s computer. Students will be assigned to cover real news stories and will receive detailed feedback. I'll also work with students to help them get their stories published. In the past year, my students have been published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Bergen Record, Asbury Park Press, Bucks County Courier Times, Poughkeepsie Journal and other newspapers.

For more info or to register, visit Marist's website.

Mark Grabowski
Webmaster
CubReporters.org

Location: Anywhere, Telecommute, United States

Political journalism jobs & internships

CubReporters.org now features a page on Political Journalism that lists journalism jobs, internships and fellowships related to politics.

Among the opportunities you'll find on the page is a little-known paid internship: The Pennsylvania Legislative Correspondents Association offers a 12-week paid summer internship covering state politics in the capital, Harrisburg. The intern is paid $500 per week and rotates among the Philadelphia Inquirer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Allentown Morning Call and other newspapers.

The program is somewhat esoteric. You probably won't find it doing a Google search. But I know it exists because I used to cover the PA statehouse. And last year's intern blogged about his internship experience. The association holds a dinner each year to help fund the internship. Your best bet is to call or e-mail one of the association's officers.

-Mark Grabowski

Seeking your comments for journalism book

I’m under contract with a popular career guide publisher to write a book on how to become a journalist in the Digital Age.

The book is for students and entry-level job seekers. It focuses on what skills, education, training, experience, etc. will be necessary to land a good job and be a successful journalist in the coming 5-10 years. The release date is this spring.

I want to hear from working journalists, media company recruiters and career services staff on stuff like: What types of jobs are out there? What types of jobs have been scaled back? What sort of jobs will there be in the future? Realistically, what kinds of jobs can someone get right out of college? What skills do young journalists need and where can they get training? What can young journalists do to make themselves standout among other interns or staff? Do you have one piece of advice that new journalists shouldn’t live without?

Please e-mail your response to book[at]cubreporters.org.


-Mark Grabowski

Newark Star-Ledger seeks 20 entry-level reporters

To help fill holes left by a recent mass exodus of staffers via buyout, the Newark Star-Ledger is reportedly looking to immediately hire 20 interns to serve at least one year as bureau reporters. The 373,000-circulation daily newspaper located next to Manhattan is also expected to expand its copy-editing internships, Crain's New York Business reported.

The full-time positions pay about $17 per hour (which would work out to $35,000 per year for a full-time job) and include limited benefits.

The newspaper lists Chanta Jackson as its internship coordinator. She can be reached at chanta_jackson@starledger.com.

-Mark Grabowski

Seeking quotes for journalism careers book

I’m under contract with a popular career guide publisher to write a book on how to become a journalist in the Digital Age.

The book is for students and entry-level job seekers. It focuses on what skills, education, training, experience, etc. will be necessary to land a good job and be a successful journalist in the coming 5-10 years. The release date is this spring.

I want to hear from working journalists, media company recruiters and career services staff on stuff like: What types of jobs are out there? What types of jobs have been scaled back? What sort of jobs will there be in the future? Realistically, what kinds of jobs can someone get right out of college? What skills do young journalists need and where can they get training? What can young journalists do to make themselves standout among other interns or staff? Do you have one piece of advice that new journalists shouldn’t live without?

Good information that isn’t used in my book may be used for CubReporters.org, or for a future article in a trade publication like Quill or The Communicator.

Please e-mail your response to book[at]cubreporters.org or fill out this form. Remember to include your title or qualifications. Thanks.

-Mark Grabowski

Journalism internships: 10 Tips for Success

Tip #5: Get organized ... Keep track of all your duties, assignments and due dates. Create a "To Do" list for the current day along with a calendar for later or longer-term assignments.

Read nine more tips in 10 Tips for a Successful Media Internship, the newest article in CubReporters.org's Advice section.

Also, read a story about what NOT to do during your journalism internship.

-Mark Grabowski

Newsroom math online tutorial

Journalists would rather craft sentences than crunch numbers. But having some basic math skills is essential because many stories involve numbers: stories about political polls, budgets, salaries, surveys, test scores, census data and almost all sports.

I've created a quick online tutorial on "Newsroom Math" to help journalists brush up.



-Mark Grabowski

Writing Tip: Double check your facts

Double check all your facts. Don’t rely on your professor or an editor to catch mistakes.

-Mark Grabowski

How to write good leads

The video below explains how to write good leads in stories.

It covers summary leads, delayed-identification leads and various creative leads. The 30-minute tutorial is the latest Journalism 101 lesson I've created for CubReporters.org's education page. There are also some interactive exercises to practice your skills.

Please share it with your classmates, coworkers, professors and editors.



-Mark Grabowski

Writing Tip: Be precise with word choice

Be precise in your word choice. Did the coach scream or shout?

-Mark Grabowski

Writing Tip: Leave your opinion out of your story

Don't put your opinions or judgments in your story. Stick to facts.

NOT: In the end it was better for her to quit her job.

INSTEAD: In the end, she quit her job.

-Mark Grabowski

Writing Tip: Avoid jargon

Avoid jargon. If you don’t know what something means, your readers probably won’t either. Explain it in terms an ordinary person can understand.

-Mark Grabowski

Writing Tip: Avoid run-on sentences

Avoid long sentences.

These are also known as "run-on" sentences because they keep running on and on. Even if your sentence is well-written and correctly punctuated, it's still difficult for readers to follow. After 25 or so words, readers begin getting lost in a sentence.

So, if you have a sentence that's over 30 words, consider rewording it or breaking it down into two separate sentences. Also, mix up the length of your sentences. Have short ones, medium-sized ones and longer ones.

-Mark Grabowski

Writing Tip: Don't read minds

Don't read minds. Tell readers only what you know. For example:

NOT: She feels that problems can be solved…

INSTEAD: She said problems can be solved.


-Mark Grabowski

Writing Tip: Show, don't tell readers

Show, don’t tell the reader. Readers need details to visualize your words. They need to smell the perfume, taste the wine, feel the cashmere. Don’t just say it was a beautiful sunset; describe it in vivid detail. Good writers paint portraits with their prose.

-Mark Grabowski

Journalism fellowship to study Congress

I'm an alumnus, and I highly recommend this program:

The American Political Science Association's Congressional Fellowship Program gives "early- to mid-career journalists an opportunity to learn more about Congress and the legislative process through direct participation."

The nine-month fellowship includes a $38,000 stipend and small travel allowance; a comprehensive orientation in November; office assignments as full-time legislative aides in the House of Representatives and/or Senate from December to August; and field trips (including a week in an international capital); and seminars with leading journalists, scholars and government officials.

Applications must be sent by December 1.

-Mark Grabowski