An Introduction to Journalism: Essential Techniques and Background Knowledge

Anyone studying journalism, or training for the industry, will benefit from the broad scope of information and guidance packed into this textbook. Those already employed in journalism or related areas will also find it useful as a reference book. Essential techniques employed by journalists working across all media are supplemented with detailed sections on the workings of public administration, law, health and safety, regulation and training.

Each chapter concludes with suggested learning activities and an extensive list of resources for further study and investigation. The approach throughout chapters covering background issues (e.g. law) is 'journalism centred': all topics are related to the interests and concerns of journalists and journalism.

Students of the City and Guilds Diploma in Media Techniques will find the book particularly relevant to their studies as it has been developed to reflect the syllabus of this course.

Richard initially trained and practised as a newspaper journalist through the National Council for the Training of Journalists’ (NCTJ) scheme, on weekly and evening newspapers. He then turned to radio journalism, initially in the commercial sector, reporting on many stories of national importance for Independent Radio News, as well as presenting major news programmes. He gained broader radio, as well as initial television experience, with the British Forces’ Broadcasting Network in Germany. On returning to the UK Richard held senior editorial, production and presentation roles on major BBC and commercial stations, gaining an Open University honours degree and teaching qualification along the way – later adding an M.A. in mass communications from the University of Leicester.His first lecturing and tutoring work was with the City and Guilds Media Techniques Certificate: Journalism and Radio and this led to a full-time post as a journalism lecturer at Liverpool Community College, teaching on City and Guilds, NCTJ, NVQ and postgraduate journalism courses, as well as setting exams in media for BTEC. He then became a senior lecturer in journalism at Liverpool John Moores University, where he teaches a variety of subjects at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. He remains a close observer of, and participant in, journalism and the media, including contributions to BBC Radio 4’s media discussion programme The Message and articles for RADIO Magazine, as well as wide- ranging external examining, consultation and research.Further details at: www.richardrudin.com,
Trevor is an independent media consultant, lecturer, media producer and writer. He is Chief Examiner, Specialist Media Advisor and External Verifier for the City and Guilds Diploma and Certificates in Media Techniques. From 1995 to 2001 he was Chief Examiner for GNVQ Media: Communication and Production for the OCR awarding body. Since 1997 he has been an External Moderator of OCN Schemes in Radio, Journalism and Television for the South of England Open College Network, University of Brighton. He has been closely involved with national curriculum development in vocational media qualifications and has worked extensively as a consultant for QCA and the former NCVQ. In 2001, on behalf of the City and Guilds, he was instrumental in mapping their existing and new vocational media schemes to the occupational standards laid down by Skillset, the National Training Organization for TV, radio, film, video and interactive media and The Publishing National Training Organization for newspaper and periodical journalism. He has over 30 years lecturing experience in further and higher education and has worked on City and Guilds, BTEC, NCTJ, BCTJ and degree-level courses as well as organizing and delivering short training courses in communication skills and media production. Trevor is keenly interested in community service broadcasting and has contributed to RSLs such as ETFM and Tube Radio at Thames Valley University, as well as delivering radio training for Horizon ‘On Air’ Transnational Refugee Projects in West London. In 2001, in conjunction with CSV Training Wales, he helped set up City and Guilds validation and assessment for Gem TV, part of the Gemini Trust, which is training young people in television production in Ethiopia.