High School Journalism Program (June 2021)

This program takes place June 14-25, 2021. Students will attend live video sessions for 90 minutes each weekday of the 10-day program (11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Eastern); sessions will be recorded and available for replay. Students should expect to work for an additional 90-120 minutes of activities and opportunities outside of the video lessons. In total, participants should be willing to dedicate 3-4 hours a day to participate.

This year’s schedule will be released as speakers and activities are finalized. Below is last year’s schedule, which demonstrates the types of sessions and activities you can expect.

Day 1: Welcome

An introduction to the program tools, schedule, process and participants

On your own: Writing process

Day 2: Defining “the media”

We hear people blame, praise and critique “the media” all the time. This live session will provide a clear and useful definition of “the media” and explain why it’s so vital to understand what that phrase really means.

On your own: Finding your voice

Day 3: Covering COVID-19, uncovering truth

Learn from a Tampa Bay Times reporter about the creative ways they’ve reported on the coronavirus crisis in Florida.

On your own: Narrowing focus/snapshot of a moment

Day 4: MediaWise fact-checking strategies

Learn from multimedia reporters leading Poynter’s MediaWise project about how they approach the fact-checking process and publish the truth in social-first video formats.

On your own: Writing for the ear

Day 5: Finding a fact(check)

During this fully interactive session, we will take a look at your sources of information, from news feeds to TikToks, and learn how to examine everything just a little more closely and carefully. Assignment: Choose an item from your feed to fact-check.

On your own: Hot spots/stick the landing

Day 6: Keeping politicians honest 

Senior editors at the Pulitzer Prize-winning PolitiFact will discuss how fact-checking and accountability journalism serves democracy.

On your own: Editing your writing (and start scheduling one-on-one coaching time)

Day 7: 21st century tools for storytelling

Move beyond writing and filming stories and learn new tools to tell stories and communicate vital information. You will leave this session with ready-to-use tools and tips.

On your own: Recording your voice

Day 8: Editing for clarity and correctness

As a vital process for holding the powerful accountable, fact-checking relies on honest, ethical reporting. Take a deep dive into what it really means to make sure you’ve got just the facts and see how editors ensure the quality of every fact check.

On your own: Adding images/bringing voice to life with b-roll

Day 9: New roles in new media roundtable discussion

Join professionals from a wide variety of media backgrounds as they answer your questions and discuss what it takes to seek and report truth in today’s world.

On your own: The final polish

Day 10: Graduation and sharing final products