To strengthen the capacity of broadcast, print and online journalists and of the organisations they work for to use the Internet for the purposes of research, publication and distribution.
Journalism and the Internet
The Internet is an exciting medium for journalists and media organisations. Journalists can find a wealth of information, previously difficult to obtain, which can help them in their research and in keeping abreast of events and trends. The speed of the internet and its growing ubiquity (thanks also to the rise of mobile phones) means that it is increasingly for journalists the first medium on which their stories appear. On the internet they can present their news stories in new and attractive ways, supported by additional background material, using a variety of media, and stored in dossiers and archives for later retrieval. The rapid evolution of interactive technologies and social media also mean that, more than ever, journalists can engage with their audiences and readers.
As an integrated medium of publication, distribution and communication, in which the traditional, clear-cut divisions between text, graphics, audio and video are blurred, the internet poses a lot of challenges. Journalists, who saw themselves first and foremost as print or broadcast journalists now work as ‘content providers’ in multimedia newsrooms, generating material for a variety of different media platforms.
The principles of interactivity and non-linearity require that information for the internet has to be ordered and presented differently. Its multimedia nature also makes organisational demands. New structures have to be designed to cope with the new ways of production, publication and distribution. New ways of working pose a challenge to established working practices and attitudes. New business models have to be developed and adopted.
Since the Internet is still a relatively young medium, there is plenty of experimentation and innovation going on. The rise of social networks, ‘civilian journalism’ and the success of ‘YouTube’ mean that the Internet has also become an established competitor of mainstream media for the attention of audiences and readers worldwide. These developments are also changing the traditional role of journalists as well as their relationship with their audiences and readers. To be able to face the challenges of the 21st century, it is important that media organisations and the people who work for adapt to the changes taking place and incorporate them in the way they work.
Methodology: learning by doing
The course will be dedicated to enabling the participating journalists to work as Internet journalists/producers. The focus will be on content rather than on technical skills. Attention will be paid to the two central tenets of the Internet: information and communication. Special emphasis will be placed on the three main principles of multimedia environments: the multimedia mix, interactivity and non-linearity. The emphasis will be on learning by doing, focusing on theory and practice. In addition to attending course sessions and workshops, participants will be sent on a number of radio or television location assignments.
The potential and the use of the Internet as a source of information will be explored (the Internet as a research tool), and options for its use as a medium of communication, publication and distribution analysed and applied to the specific situation of the participants. The possibilities and advantages of the Internet – as well as some of its drawbacks – for journalists and the organisations they work for will be highlighted.
The participants will be from different professional media (radio, television, print, online). The aim of the course is to transcend these boundaries and merge the disciplines in search of the ideal of a multimedia journalist. Participants will acquire knowledge of the essentials of web-design (structure, interaction and lay-out) and skills for the development of websites and for production for the Internet, such as writing non-linear, interactive pieces, making graphics and producing audio and video. Participants will analyse existing examples of websites attached to newspapers, magazines and broadcasting organisations.
How to apply?
We warmly welcome you to apply for this course. In case of any troubles with your application, please contact us at info@rntc.nl
Self-paying or sponsored candidates only apply with RNTC. Nationals from 60 countries can apply for a NFP-fellowship, provided by the Dutch government. They apply with both RNTC and NFP.
Who can apply?
All RNTC’s courses are targeted at media professionals from developing countries and countries in transition. If you are working for a media organisation, or an organisation working with the media, you can apply. For all our courses, the following requirements apply:
- you have a minimum of three years working experience in the media
- your employer supports your participation in the training
- you have followed secondary education, and professional education or training in media
- you are used to work with computers
- your speaking and writing skills in English (the course language) are sufficient
Target group
The course is designed for mid-career print, online and broadcast journalists, with at least three years experience in the field with special emphasis on the internet.
Course fee and fellowship
To cover the costs of participation, you have three options:
- You or your organisation covers the costs. Upon request, we’ll provide you with detailed information about the costs involved of the course of your choice (info@rntc.nl)
- You’ll find a sponsor or a grant to participate (for more information, visit official website)
- You’ll apply for a Fellowship under the Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP)
The Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP) is a demand-driven fellowship programme designed to foster capacity building within organisations by providing training and education to their mid-career staff members. NFP-fellowships cover your travel costs, accommodation and course fee. NFP is funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the budget for development co-operation, and run by NUFFIC, the Netherlands Organisation for International Cooperation in Higher Education. Half of the available fellowships are awarded to women, and simultaneously, half of the available budget is spent on candidates from sub-Saharan Africa. Apart from this, priority is given to candidates from deprived groups and/or from marginalized regions.
Who is eligible for NFP?
To be eligible for a scholarship under the Netherlands Fellowship Programmes you must meet the following criteria:
- You are a a national of one of the following 60 countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Armenia, Autonomous Palestinian Territories, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Macedonia, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Surinam, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
- You are not applying for more than one course with the same NFP application deadline
- You are not employed by a multinational corporation, a UN organisation, the World Bank, the IMF, a bilateral or multinational donor organisation, or a large national and/or commercial organisation
- You have not already received two NFP fellowships for short courses in the past
- You have not already received an NFP fellowship for a short courses in the year prior to this fellowship application
1) Select the course you want to apply for
2) Check that you are eligible under the course selection criteria and that the course is still open for applications
3) Download the RNTC application form (see bottom of this page), fill it in and send it to RNTC by post, by fax or by email. We will send you confirmation that we have received it.
- Postal address: RNTC Course Secretariat, P.O. Box 303, 1200 AH Hilversum, The Netherlands
- Fax: + 31 35 6724531
- Email: applications@rntc.nl
4) If you want to apply for an NFP fellowship and are eligible, you can fill in and submit your NFP application online or on paper.
- Online: (The application form follows after you’ve answered the knock out questions) at the NFP Scholarships Online (SOL) website. Problems with your application? Check the manual.
- Paper: you can find the application form at www.nuffic.nl. You should send the form to NUFFIC, NFP-team, P.O. Box 29777, 2502 LT The Hague, The Netherlands
5) If you are submitting your NFP application online or on paper, make sure that you do so before the deadline for online and paper (a month earlier) applications. You can find the application deadline on the course-pages.
6) Allow 12-16 weeks from the online application deadline for the NFP application process to be completed. You will be informed automatically both if your application is rejected and if it is successful. All NFP applicants (online and on paper) will be able to check the status of their application by logging on to the SOL website.
Course dates: September 10 – October 19, 2012
Media: Radio, Television and internet
Type of Diploma: Certificate
RNTC application deadline: January 15, 2012
NFP applications: online between November 1, 2011 and February 1, 2012 (on paper until January 1, 2012)
Deadline non fellowship applicants: July 15, 2012
For more information, please visit official website
Scholarshio Fellowship Programme in Internet for Journalists, RNTC
