NGU Hosts World Journalism Institute Conference
Posted on: July 18, 2024
Tigerville, SC – Eighteen young professionals are spending the week in Tigerville, receiving hands-on training in the field of journalism.
The conference, hosted by North Greenville University, is a series of instructional courses presented by the World Journalism Institute (WJI), which serves as the educational arm of WORLD News Group.
“This week, we’re focusing on storytelling,” said Naomi Balk, assistant director for the World Journalism Institute. “They’re in writing sessions. They’re learning how to interview. They’re learning how to broadcast. They might know a lot of these disciplines already, but they’re getting that opportunity to get out in the field and put it into practice.”
With sessions on editing, reporting, broadcasting and more, North Greenville University School of Communication professors have been assisting with instruction.
“I am so pleased three of our faculty get to participate as teachers and writing coaches this week,” said Dr. Randall E. King, Associate Dean of the School of Communication at NGU. “Dr. Karyn Campbell, Professor Lara Jackson and I all have professional journalism experience and have much to offer these young professionals as they consider new careers as storytellers.”
The 18 participants have been working to collect news stories locally, visiting downtown Greenville and returning to campus to edit gathered content with an instructor.
“We want them to come away with the ability to make a radio piece and the ability to write well,” Balk said. “Experience builds confidence, and that’s what they’re getting this week.”
NGU Provost Dr. Hunter Baker said working with the participants has been a privilege for North Greenville faculty and staff.
“Christian journalists have a lot to offer our country and the world,” said NGU Provost Dr. Hunter Baker. “We are so happy to join WJI in its mission to train them in their pursuit of truth in discovering and reporting the news.”
King said approaching journalism from a Christian worldview requires excellence and compassion.
“That doesn’t mean we preach in our stories, but it means the way we approach reporting, writing, interviewing, news judgment – the stories we tell and how we tell them – always starts with the question, ‘How does Christ make the difference here – in this job, in this story?’” he said.
“In some ways the most powerful way to answer that question is – do it well, with excellence, and with compassion for the people who are the focus of your stories,” continued King. “We try to answer that question in every class at NGU, and now we get to ask it again with this group from WJI.”
Lee Pitts, who leads Dordt University’s Department of Journalism and Communication and serves as the Executive Director of WORLD Journalism Institute, said there is great need for Christians in the field.
“Journalism can be a dark profession, but that’s not a reason or an excuse for believers to abandon the profession,” Pitts said. “The need for journalism is not going to go away. It’s always going to be important for a healthy democracy and strong communities.”
The WJI conference will run through July 20.
