Point Park University launches Citizen Reporting Academy online certificate program to boost community journalism

By Michael Richter
mrichter@yourmvi.com
As the media landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, many news outlets are shutting down around the country at an alarming rate.
Point Park University’s Citizen Reporting Academy aims to give citizens the chance to fill in those gaps.
Point Park University is offering an online certificate program this fall focused on teaching people who want to learn journalism skills and utilize them in their communities, intending to aid local media.
The Citizen Reporting Academy, conceived by Associate Vice President and Managing Director of Point Park’s Center for Media Innovation Andrew Conte along with Trib Total Media, begins Sept. 11 and lasts about six months. During that time, students will learn various aspects of reporting from teachers who are industry professionals.
“Media has changed so much over the last decade-plus,” Conte said. “In a lot of cases, citizens are looking around and wanting to contribute to stories that happen in their community.”
Conte added that this initiative would not replace local newspapers, but it aims to supplement their coverage, including media in the Mon Valley. He used the Mon Valley Independent as an example.
“The Mon Valley Independent is a great example of what citizens can do when they get together,” Conte said, “and support the newspaper and put out a printed product. I have so much appreciation for what the Mon Valley Independent has done and is doing in the Mon Valley. This is hopefully a way to complement that work. This might be an opportunity for people who live in the Mon Valley and want to contribute to the newspaper.”
Each course in the academy will last two weeks. Prospective students can sign up for the full nine-week program to obtain a certificate, or they can take individual classes that interest them.

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