Digital Journalism

According to Owen’s (2017) The State of Technology in Global Newsrooms survey, which reached over 2,200 newsroom employees from 130 countries including Sub-Saharan Africa, media are embracing digital skills. This means almost any current journalism and media job requires some digital or online knowledge and skills, be it social media, online writing, social media analytics, content creation or multimedia storytelling. In most newsrooms, journalists are expected to be multifaceted professionals. It is imperative for today’s journalists to understand the basics of journalism in the current digital space. This course will, therefore, introduce students to the concepts of digital and multimedia journalism.

Melissa Zisengwe is a digital journalist, content creator and a civic technologist enthusiast with four years’ experience in various fields. She has worked in print and broadcasting in South Africa. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism and Media Studies (BJourn) and a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in English Language, Linguistics and Journalism and Media Studies), both from Rhodes University. Her experience ranges from student journalism at Rhodes University’s campus news organisations, including Oppidan Press, Activate and Rhodes Music Radio, to Radio Grahamstown as a newsreader in 2015 and Groccott’s Mail as a content producer in 2016.

Melissa Zisengwe is a digital journalist, content creator and a civic technologist enthusiast with four years’ experience in various fields. She has worked in print and broadcasting in South Africa. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism and Media Studies (BJourn) and a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in English Language, Linguistics and Journalism and Media Studies), both from Rhodes University. Her experience ranges from student journalism at Rhodes University’s campus news organisations, including Oppidan Press, Activate and Rhodes Music Radio, to Radio Grahamstown as a newsreader in 2015 and Groccott’s Mail as a content producer in 2016.

In order to get the full benefit from this course, you require the following:

• Computer/Laptop/Tablet
• Stable internet connection
• Firefox/Microsoft Edge/Chrome web browser (latest version)
• Adobe Acrobat, or similar PDF viewer
• Microsoft Word/Pages (ability to export documents as PDF files)
• Email/Cell phone for notifications and communication
• Ability to scan and upload documents

Our online short learning programmes are broken into self-paced manageable modules designed to be interactive and engaging:

• The programme is available to be viewed on smart devices and includes mobile, tablets and personal computers.
• Relevant case studies, articles and recommended reading are part of supplementary resources available.
• Apply and evaluate what you have learned in each module with the self-grading quizzes and assignment submissions
• View a range of Introductory course videos by your Subject Matter Expert.
• Scheduled live webinars are included with the Online Academic Tutor.
• Network, collaborate and interact with your fellow participants and Online Academic Tutor via the discussion boards.

Upon successful completion of your course, you will be awarded a CityVarsity Online certificate.

Module 1

Module 2

Module 3

Module 4

Module 5

Module 6

Module 7

With the freedom that online education brings, CityVarsity Online students can upskill in their own time, from almost anywhere on earth. Well, anywhere where the internet is accessible, that is. But although our students may roam far and wide, they are never far out of our minds.

Each course is assigned its own Online Academic Tutor, who is ready and waiting to guide and assist their learners throughout their learning experience. The Online Academic Tutor, who is assigned to your course, is trained to build each student up to reach their fullest potential. Students can expect their Online Academic Tutor to answer questions, offer advice and provide further clarification on any academic aspects.