Freelance Journalism
Advanced Freelance Journalism
Diploma FJ12B, Diploma FJA18B Advanced
Journalism, Media & Photography

With this course program you can undertake the Freelance Journalism Course (12 modules) then undertake the Advanced Freelance Journalism Course (6 modules).

The aim of these courses is to develop your knowledge and skills to the level of paid freelance journalist.

Freelance journalists usually work from home writing articles and features that are sold to newspapers and magazines around the world. It’s an exciting field packed with variety, challenge and it's also a career that offers interesting perks and substantial rewards.

"One of the things I love about news reporting is that every day is a brand new day."

- Sandra Sully, presenter, Ten Late Night News

Your Freelance Journalism Course will start you on the pathway of becoming a successful freelance journalist. Through the course you will learn about mainstream journalism (news journalism, rounds reporting, ethical reporting, etc;.) the lucrative area of applied journalism, the art of professional interviewing, article writing, feature writing, column writing, writing entertainment reviews and more. When you progress to the Advanced Freelance Journalism Course you will expand your skills to news reporting under pressure and photojournalism, and you will start tackling some 'live' reporting through The Virtual Newsroom.

With the support of your tutor (a newspaper editor who works in the industry running a busy newspaper), you will learn the essential components of coming up with story ideas, structuring your story in the way that editors want, writing the story from headline to tail and you will acquire advanced skills in how to present your work for editors.

This is one of the most comprehensive correspondence courses available in Freelance Journalism. Through progressive learning and practical activities you will learn to write winning articles in the areas of fashion, travel, news and current affairs, general interest, health and fitness, women's and men's topics, and more.

Career opportunities include: Freelance Journalist, Columnist, Feature Writer, News Reporter, Freelance Writer, Foreign Correspondent, Sub-editor, Researcher.

Industries include: newspaper/magazine publishing, television/media, corporate/government.

Journalists write and edit news reports, commentaries and features for newspapers, magazines and for radio or television stations. Most journalists are expected to be 'generalists', that is, able to cover almost any topic of interest. Journalists who work for large commercial organisations and government departments may also prepare annual reports and media releases. A journalist may perform the following tasks:

• gather news and information by interviewing people and attending events
• undertake research to provide background information for articles
• assess the suitability of reports and articles for publication or broadcasting, within an established style and format, and edit as necessary
• write articles that comment on or interpret news events, and that may put forward a point of view on behalf of the publication/broadcasting agency
• comment on television/radio (in the broadcasting industry)
• liaise with all sorts of people, particularly those in the media business.
  

Journalists usually start as in-house cadets or freelancers and report routine events and general interest stories. All journalists are required to understand the laws of defamation, contempt and copyright. They may have to work irregular hours and often need to complete work to meet publication or broadcasting deadlines. Travel is sometimes a necessary part of the work. After learning the ropes, a journalist may specialise as a:

• News Reporter: reports on day-to-day news events (e.g. crime, education, health, sport, business)
• Columnist: writes a regular section within their particular interest category (e.g. home decorating, beauty, fashion, politics).
• Feature Writer: writes in-depth stories on specific news and general interest topics (often with accompanying photos taken by a photojournalist).
• Foreign Correspondent: a reporter who is located overseas and writes stories on international affairs.
• Rounds Reporter: reports on information provided by sources such as police, courts and hospitals.
• Commentator, reviewer or critic: evaluating anything from sports, films and restaurants to art exhibitions, travel destinations and consumer goods.
• Sub-editor: edit and proofread articles submitted by journalists and check for errors, inconsistencies and readability.
• Researcher: work in print media or broadcasting and develop story ideas for programs or publication, as well as undertaking background research on all sorts of topics.