Media & Communication
Community Journalism & Communication
Reporting, storytelling and responsible communication for community media and organisations.
View prospectus
Programme rationale
Reporting, storytelling and responsible communication for community media and organisations. The programme is structured for learners who need practical, assessable capability they can connect to real responsibilities while continuing work or other commitments.
Programme 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 |
Target audience & entry requirements
Target audience
- • Humanitarian, development, resilience and community practitioners.
- • Government, NGO and volunteer personnel whose roles relate to this programme area.
- • School leavers, graduates and working adults seeking practical professional development.
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.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the programme, learners should be able to:
- Research and write an accurate community story
- Produce a short audio or video report
- Apply media ethics and safety practice
Detailed modules
Each module below follows this programme’s published syllabus and contributes to the final practical work.
- 1
News values, ethics and accuracy
Weeks 1–2Study news values, ethics and accuracy in the context of media & Communication, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within news values, ethics and accuracy
- Methods, tools and professional standards used in practice
- Application through a relevant case, task or workplace scenario
Assessed work: Complete a guided case task applying news values, ethics and accuracy to a realistic setting.
- 2
Interviewing and community storytelling
Weeks 3–4Build audience-aware and ethical practice in interviewing and community storytelling, from evidence and message design to delivery and feedback.
What you cover
- Audience, purpose and ethical practice in interviewing and community storytelling
- Message, content or participation methods
- Delivery channels, feedback and quality review
Assessed work: Create and present an audience-ready communication product for interviewing and community storytelling.
- 3
Writing for radio, print and online
Weeks 5–6Build audience-aware and ethical practice in writing for radio, print and online, from evidence and message design to delivery and feedback.
What you cover
- Audience, purpose and ethical practice in writing for radio, print and online
- Message, content or participation methods
- Delivery channels, feedback and quality review
Assessed work: Create and present an audience-ready communication product for writing for radio, print and online.
- 4
Mobile photography, audio and video basics
Weeks 7–8Study mobile photography, audio and video basics in the context of media & Communication, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within mobile photography, audio and video basics
- Methods, tools and professional standards used in practice
- Application through a relevant case, task or workplace scenario
Assessed work: Complete a guided case task applying mobile photography, audio and video basics to a realistic setting.
- 5
Misinformation, safety and community accountability
Weeks 9–12Apply misinformation, safety and community accountability through systematic risk identification, proportionate controls, safe documentation and escalation.
What you cover
- Hazards, exposure and professional responsibilities within misinformation, safety and community accountability
- Prevention, control and response measures
- Inspection, recording, referral and improvement actions
Assessed work: Complete a scenario-based risk, control or referral exercise for misinformation, safety and community accountability.
Practical project / portfolio
Produce a published-quality community story package.
Teaching & learning approach
- Tutor-led explanation and demonstration focused on the published module topics.
- Guided practice using cases, scenarios, templates or production tasks relevant to the programme.
- Individual and group feedback that helps learners improve work before final submission.
- Flexible online, face-to-face or blended participation, with evening and weekend scheduling where available.
Assessment & completion
- • Short applied tasks linked to the published modules.
- • 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.
Learner 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.
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.
Career & professional pathways
This programme supports professional development; it does not guarantee employment, promotion or entry to a regulated occupation.
- Apply the programme’s tools in field, programme, coordination or community-facing responsibilities related to media & Communication.
- Use the completed project or portfolio as evidence of applied professional development.
- Progress to related SLIHSD intermediate or advanced professional learning where available.
Fees & enrolment
- • Indicative programme fee: SLE 2,500.
- • One-off indicative registration fee: SLE 100.
- • Final fees, start date, delivery arrangement and any instalment option are confirmed in writing before commitment.
- • Submitting an application does not require payment and does not guarantee admission.
Regulatory & recognition notice
SLIHSD is a developing professional learning institution. Accreditation and formal recognition are subject to applicable regulatory approvals. Completion records an SLIHSD professional short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
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.
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.