Tag Archives: Future Journalist Awards

Empowering Young Voices – Our Mission

Posted on by
Reply

Our Mission – What We Would Like to Achieve

As the holidays are approaching, applicants may be using their spare time to work on their submissions. We’ve decided to explain exactly what Staffordshire University’s mission is during the awards. 

What are the main goals of the Future Journalist Awards (FJAs)?

The main goal of the FJAs is to empower young voices within the world of journalism. Whether that be through print, audio or video submission, the awards are held to give younger people a platform to express their journalism skills in any way they like.  

We also want to ensure:

  • We enable young people to demonstrate their creativity through a number of different outlets in a fun and easy way.
  • That the process of taking part in the awards is enjoyable to anyone who makes a submission.
  • We can show applicants a number of different ways journalism can be beneficial for them in the most exciting way.
  • Inspire young people to express their passion for their favourite things, such as sports, music events, politics and much more.
  • Give applicants the chance to take part in a number of experiences they may not have had before, like workshops, meeting guest speakers and learning important skills that they can use in different situations. 
  • To enable a diverse range of young voices to be heard within the media world.

Our mission after the awards?

At Staffordshire University, not only do we want to see as many applicants as possible during the awards and receive as many entries as we can, but we want the appetite for journalism to continue after the FJAs. 

The experiences applicants gain from taking part in the awards can be useful in a number of situations. Skills picked up such as storytelling, editing, recording and lots more could prove to be invaluable forever. 

Ultimately, we would love to see young people expressing their imagination in anything they are passionate about. It would be fantastic to see to see a variety of different submissions and potentially spot the next sports presenter, vlogger, radio host or social media star. 

The Power of Storytelling

Posted on by
Reply

Journalism is a dynamic storytelling medium that continuously evolves and has the ability to educate, uplift, and inspire change. It is our responsibility as journalists to find the truths and accurately and extensively communicate them to the public.

One of a journalist’s most valuable skills is the ability to tell stories. It’s a way of purposefully using narrative and storytelling to share information. Sourcing exciting information and presenting it in a way that hooks your audience in is essential to crafting a great story. 

It’s key to begin your story with the most important information and keep your audience’s interests front and centre while writing an engaging story. Steer clear of jargon in your writing to further engage readers, listeners, or viewers. 

Tips for Storytelling:

  • Remember to tell an engaging story that is also educational if you want to stand out from the competition. This is ultimately your secret weapon. 
  • Choose the angle you want to take on the story before you start crafting it. While journalists ought to maintain impartiality, choosing your viewpoint will aid with keeping concentration and delivering a clear message.
  • Consider what makes your story unique and go with that.
  • Journalistic writing is all about accuracy; if you stick to the facts, you’ll be fine. Remember to not include your personal opinions.
  • If you’re a written journalist, you should express your point using simple language and well-formed sentences. Articles should aim for a sentence length of approximately 20 words, with one to three sentences per paragraph.
  • maintain ethical standards.  Your stories should convey accurate, dependable, and trustworthy information acquired from reliable sources.

As a journalist, there are countless ways to tell stories, from radio pieces to television news packages. Storytelling is more than just writing narratives. For instance, creating a visual package can elicit feelings and provide additional context that words alone might not be able to. 

As the journalism industry transitions to the digital era. It’s critical to master the use of social media platforms, data visualisation tools, content management systems, and multimedia storytelling techniques. Journalists can improve their narrative skills and interact with their audience in new ways by effectively utilising these tools.

Introducing the Future Journalist Awards: Inspiring Tomorrow’s Storytellers 

Posted on by
Reply

Are you prepared to set off on a voyage via words, pictures, and sounds, where the possibilities for your storytelling are endless? We are excited to be hosting the Future Journalist Awards, an exciting contest that will spark young people’s imaginations and offer a unique platform for aspiring writers and content creators. 

What is the FJA? 

The Future Journalist Awards aims to inspire and encourage students – Yr. 3 to 13- from Staffordshire and the surrounding counties to consider a career in journalism.  

Participants in this innovative competition are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild, creating videos, audio pieces, or written composition.  

What to expect:

  • Categories: There are five Year Group categories. There is a place for everyone on our competition, from inquisitive Year 3 students just learning about journalism, to experienced Year 13 students who may be considering it as a career. 
  • Unleash Your Creativity: Participants are encouraged to display their writing and content creation skills in a format that most appeals to them. This is your chance to shine, whether you produce a written article, review, or blog, or opt to make a short video or audio. 
  • Mentorship and Guidance: Our event not only provides a platform for creative expression but also offers mentorship and guidance from seasoned journalists. You’ll have the chance to learn from the best in the industry and gain insights into the world of journalism. 

Why It’s Worth Your Participation: 

  • Empowering Future Voices: Beyond competition, there are other aspects to the FJA. By nurturing the applicant’s passion for reporting and content creation, it aims to strengthen the future voices of journalism. 
  • Inclusivity: By welcoming students of different ages and backgrounds, our event fosters inclusivity and diversity in journalism. We believe that everyone has a story to tell, and we’re here to help you tell yours. 
  • Real-World experience: This competition provides you with valuable real-world experience. It’s a chance to explore your interests and passions and develop your skills in a supportive and engaging environment.  
  • Networking Opportunities: Make connections with mentors, business professionals, and other students. This is a great opportunity to network and broaden your horizons, which could lead to future opportunities in journalism. 

The FJA is an occasion devoted to stoking the creative sparks within young people, fostering the next generation of storytellers, and honouring the expressive power of words, images, and voices. Come along to Staffordshire University with us as we set out on an exploration of journalism. Your story starts here! 

Stay tuned for more information on how to participate and make your mark in the world of journalism. We can’t wait to see your unique stories come to life.