In 2003, the CPU added distance learning to its worldwide effort to improve journalism skills in countries where opportunities for traditional training are limited.

To date, the CPU has run courses on sub-editing, political reporting, newsroom management, business journalism and basic journalism & ethics.

Listed below are two courses commencing in 2007.

Due to his natural talent for online training; structured approach when setting the programmes and delivering the content; and general ability to enthuse the participants, so that drop-out level is either very low or non-existent, the CPU engages Gareth Weekes to conduct all our online courses. Gareth has designed all the above-mentioned courses and the results speak volumes.

John Woods, editor of the Cook Islands News in the Pacific said:
"Gareth Weekes is a good trainer. Three of my reporters recently completed a course with him, and it worked really well. His responses and critiques were excellent, and I was surprised at how he was able to motivate and inspire them. Please keep me posted on courses and opportunities."

Due to keen demand, we are obliged to focus on certain geographical areas when running a course. However, on occasion, there are places not taken up and if that is the case, we will accept someone from another region.

So, it is always worth applying.

Please note that - as for all CPU's training activities - priority will be given to journalists working for newspapers in membership of the CPU when allocating places on courses. At present, there are places available for non-members on both the courses below but these are not assured. Non-member newspapers wishing to register journalists for these courses will be charged UK Pds 100 per person.



Business Journalism
Monday 29 October 2007 to Friday 8 February 2008

Targeted students:
Business reporters with at least three years experience in this role.

This online training programme aims to: train journalists to be able to report business issues effectively and in a way that is understood by the reader, ie making business journalism reader-friendly; improve business coverage in newspapers; teach reporters to write in such a way as to attract female readers; and to ensure that the readership is clearly informed of issues of importance to them.

Outline programme
The following is an outline of the subject areas that will be covered:
  • If business news on your paper is boring, there's something wrong
  • Any good journalist can do this
  • My first business story
  • So who's interested?
  • Business stories grow on trees
  • Treat every contact like a potential gold mine
  • Business journalism is not just about money
  • Standing up to the men in suits
  • Making business journalism reader-friendly
  • Breaking business news out of its ghetto
  • Always remember pictures
  • How business journalists add value
  • You don't have to be a financial genius
  • Annual reports: a primary source of stories
  • Understanding balance sheets
  • Profit and loss statements - a vital resource for journalists
  • A typical profit and loss account
  • Beware of tricks
  • Stories behind sales figures
  • You need help
  • Analysts and other experts to the rescue
  • Find yourself a friend
  • Case study: helicopter debt riddle
  • Follow-up stories
  • Some useful words in understanding company reports
  • How to write compelling business news stories and features.
  • Handling numbers
  • Building contacts
  • Covering business sectors, including sport, entertainment, technology, health, agriculture
  • How business coverage can make money for your newspaper
  • Personal finance
  • Business and the environment
  • Attracting female readers
  • Research and investigations
  • Stock markets - and how to relate them to ordinary readers
  • Ethics of business journalism

The Consultant
Gareth Weekes is a former UK regional newspaper editor, who now runs the communications consultancy Deep South Media Ltd. He and his team produce newspapers and magazines and run training courses for public and private sector clients. Gareth has created this course.

HOW TO APPLY
Click here to download an application form (Microsoft Word)

Basic Journalism & Ethics
Monday 29 October 2007 to Friday 25 January 2008

Targeted students:
Students are young journalists from developing Commonwealth countries. If they joined the newspaper business straight from school, then they should have a minimum of three years experience. University graduates should have a minimum of one year's experience.

The course
This course has come about because the CPU has had several requests for this kind of training, especially from newspapers in more rural areas or in less accessible countries or regions. It is an 8-week course which is shorter than our other online courses but it is more intensive. The purpose is for the students to work hard and not lose the momentum. It is an intensive course and so students should only apply if they feel they will have the support of their managers and the incentive to complete the assignments.

The programme will have 7 units, as follows:
  1. What makes news - and what makes a good reporter
    - how to find the angles that makes stories interesting
  2. News writing - hook the readers with beautifully crafted intros and well constructed stories
  3. Researching and interviewing - how to ask the right questions and get contacts to talk openly
  4. Covering incidents, politics - trick of the trade for specialist reporting
  5. Basic photography and basic sub-editing - how to take pictures editors want to use plus an insight into what sub-editors are looking for in reporters' copy
  6. Writing features, reviews, comment, and writing for the web - build your versatility by learning techniques for different types of journalism
  7. Ethics and the role of newspapers, plus other things reporters need to know - the moral, political and business background to journalism

The tutor
Gareth Weekes is a former UK regional newspaper editor, who now runs the communications consultancy Deep South Media Ltd. He and his team produce newspapers and magazines and run training courses for public and private sector clients. Gareth is now very experienced at running online courses extremely successfully for the CPU. Students will appreciate his knowledge as well as his character.

How to Apply
Click here to download an application form (Microsoft Word)






© 2005 Commowealth Press Union
 
 









I have learnt to separate the grain from the chaff. The Ethics module was excellent, particularly for some of us in Africa. All in all l could say 90 percent of my objectives were met.

>My overall assessment of the consultant is that he was excellent, attended to our individual problems meticulously. I once had a problem posting messages on the blackboard and he assisted me.

>The course was very helpful as far as strengthening the reporters'skills was concerned.

>I have not met Colin, but with his online teachings, I have found him as a person who can easily mould a person into a competent political reporter. He is easy to understand, and takesone point at a time.

>The main strengths of the course was the on-line factor, especially the blackboard which made the whole thing very much real unlike ordinary distance learning.