Media & Communication
Community Journalism & Communication
Reporting, storytelling and responsible communication for community media and organisations.
Syllabus at a glance
Around 12 weeks of guided study, typically two sessions a week plus independent work, so you can keep working while you study.
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weeks 1–2 | News values, ethics and accuracy |
| 2 | Weeks 3–4 | Interviewing and community storytelling |
| 3 | Weeks 5–6 | Writing for radio, print and online |
| 4 | Weeks 7–8 | Mobile photography, audio and video basics |
| 5 | Weeks 9–12 | Misinformation, safety and community accountability |
Module breakdown
- 1
News values, ethics and accuracy
Weeks 1–2Build a shared working vocabulary for news values, ethics and accuracy and set the standards this course expects of you.
What you cover
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind news values, ethics and accuracy
- Step-by-step methods and templates for news values, ethics and accuracy
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in news values, ethics and accuracy, and how to avoid them
- Applying news values, ethics and accuracy in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Case study discussion applying news values, ethics and accuracy to a local scenario.
- 2
Interviewing and community storytelling
Weeks 3–4Work through the methods and tools used for interviewing and community storytelling in day-to-day programme work.
What you cover
- Step-by-step methods and templates for interviewing and community storytelling
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in interviewing and community storytelling, and how to avoid them
- Applying interviewing and community storytelling in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Practical task: draft one working document related to interviewing and community storytelling.
- 3
Writing for radio, print and online
Weeks 5–6Practise writing for radio, print and online on realistic case material drawn from Sierra Leonean community and field settings.
What you cover
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in writing for radio, print and online, and how to avoid them
- Applying writing for radio, print and online in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your writing for radio, print and online work
Assessed work: Group simulation using writing for radio, print and online under time pressure.
- 4
Mobile photography, audio and video basics
Weeks 7–8Turn mobile photography, audio and video basics into documents, plans and decisions your team or employer can actually use.
What you cover
- Applying mobile photography, audio and video basics in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your mobile photography, audio and video basics work
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind mobile photography, audio and video basics
Assessed work: Portfolio entry: reflect on how you will use mobile photography, audio and video basics in your role.
- 5
Misinformation, safety and community accountability
Weeks 9–12Review, quality-check and improve your own misinformation, safety and community accountability work with tutor and peer feedback.
What you cover
- Recording, reporting and communicating your misinformation, safety and community accountability work
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind misinformation, safety and community accountability
- Step-by-step methods and templates for misinformation, safety and community accountability
Assessed work: Guided exercise: produce a short worked example covering misinformation, safety and community accountability.
Who this course is for
- • Practitioners and volunteers already working in, or moving into, this area of work.
- • Programme, project and community staff who need structured, practical training.
- • School leavers and graduates building a first professional portfolio.
Entry requirements
- • Basic literacy and secondary-level education, or relevant practical work experience.
- • Access to a phone, tablet or computer for online and blended study.
- • Commitment to attend sessions and submit assignments on time.
How you are assessed
- • Short module tasks completed during the course.
- • Practical component: Produce a published-quality community story package.
- • A final assessment or portfolio review covering the full syllabus.
- • Participation in guided sessions, discussions and group exercises.
Materials and support
- • Session handouts, checklists and templates you keep after the course.
- • Case material and worked examples based on community and field practice.
- • Tutor guidance by WhatsApp between sessions.
Certification
Learners who complete all assessments receive an SLIHSD professional certificate of completion. This records completion of an SLIHSD short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the certificate you should be able to:
- Research and write an accurate community story
- Produce a short audio or video report
- Apply media ethics and safety practice
Practical component
Produce a published-quality community story package.
How this programme is delivered
Online
Guided sessions and assignments you can follow from anywhere with a connection.
Face-to-face
Classroom sessions at our Mile 91 learning centre, including weekend and evening options.
Blended
A mix of online study with periodic in-person workshops, field exercises and simulations.
Ready to start Community Journalism & Communication?
Applications for the Founding Student Intake 2026 are open. Register your interest and we will guide you to the right programme.