Sharpen your journalistic skills with free BBC masterclasses

Posted by Helena Humphrey on December 14, 2009 at 11:41 AM

A new initiative from the BBC will grant the general public access to online material used to train the industry's elite, with masterclasses delivered by the likes of John Simpson and John Humphrys, the Guardian reported.

The move comes as the international broadcasting agency launches the BBC Academy today, a centre dedicated to turning out the journalists of tomorrow.

Access to the website will be free to UK residents with television licences. Subscriptions will also be available to those wishing to access the material around the world. As a result, industry competitors will no doubt be keen to root through the website's content as soon as possible.

If this is worrying the BBC, then it hasn't let on. As part of the BBC's Charter agreement with the government, they are obligated to make an effort to train the broadcasting industry - yet appear happy to do so.

According to deputy director general, Mark Byford, who also chairs the academy's board: "The BBC is determined to support the wider UK media industry through difficult times and by sharing valuable training resources like the College of Journalism we can help to secure the best standards and learning in the world."

"These new measures build upon our video news syndication, Radio Live Player and other partnerships to support the media industry which is why we are extending our partnership commitments in training to work with other organisations in a challenging media landscape."

Not only will the masterclasses be welcomed by industry insiders, but it will also be interesting to see the effect such an intiative has on citizen journalism and prospective j-school applicants.

Source: Guardian