By RANDY SEAVER | Editor
Have you – or someone you know – ever wondered what it’s like to be a journalist in today’s rapidly changing media landscape?
Ever thought you would like to write news or feature stories for your community newspaper?
Or would you just like to take a deeper dive and participate in free-ranging and provocative discussions about journalism and its continuing erosion of confidence by the American people?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re in luck — and you may want to consider enrolling in a new class that I’ll be teaching through the Biddeford Adult Education program, starting next month.
My enrichment-based Intro to Journalism class is structured to be flexible and to focus on participant’s specific interests, questions and concerns.
The registration fee is only $39, and all proceeds will be directed back to supporting the ongoing work and programs sponsored by the Biddeford Adult-Ed program.
I have heard rumors about some highly respected former journalists who might be class participants or just stop by for a visit. (One can only hope)
I will be offering students some of the lessons I have learned during my more than 30-year career in both journalism and public relations.
I will also share insights from lessons I have learned from journalism experts during industry conferences, such as the recent New England Newspaper & Press Association annual spring conference that was held two weeks ago in Portsmouth, N.H.
I taught a similar class several years ago. One of my former students – John Swinconeck – went on to become a reporter and then editor at the Brunswick Times Record. Today, John is the executive news producer for Spectrum News.
“I learned more about journalism in your class than I did in college,” he said during a recent conversation.
Potential class discussion might involve the following topics:
A Crisis of Confidence | How can journalists win back the trust of the American people?
Dying Industry or Exciting Opportunity? | How to attract younger news consumers
Social Media | Opportunities and Challenges
History of Journalism | A wide open discussion focused primarily on how the industry has changed and evolved, from the 16th Century opinions of British Parliamentarian Edmund Burke to Chris Wallace’s painful assessment of how his own father – Mike Wallace — ultimately changed the perception of “the news.”
Writing With Style | A cursory review of the unique AP-style writing methods that are used by a vast majority of legacy newspapers, such as the Boston Globe, the Washington Post and Portland Press Herald (The New York Times has its own style guide)
I’m excited about the class because I’m a journalism junkie. I’d love to have you join us for fun, frank and provocative discussions about a fascinating industry that impacts each and every one of us.
For more information or to register for the class, please visit this link: Biddeford Adult Ed Registration
You can also reach me at biddefordgazette@gmail.com
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 