More than 100 student journalists from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific are hosting a live television broadcast this week, featuring conversations about “tomorrow’s journalism.”
Making a Difference: Constructive Journalism 2020 — nicknamed #Cojo2020 — is a collaborative journalism project supported by The Junction, The Judith Neilson Institute and the Constructive Institute in Denmark.
Watch — Making a Difference: Constructive Journalism 2020, Episode 1
The students, from 27 participating universities, are producing live panel discussions, Q&As with global guests and interviews.
Their work is being produced by RMIT and broadcast on Melbourne community TV staton Channel 31, over three days from October 27. The programs are also streamed on The Junction website.
Rethinking journalism
The two students judged by JNI, JERAA and The Junction to have completed the best work will be offered a one-month secondment to the Constructive Institute at Aarhus University in 2021. One of the students selected will be from the Pacific Islands.
Constructive Institute founder and CEO Ulrik Haagerup said: “Working with bright journalism students all over Australia gives me hope for the future of our profession.”
“The students understand that their job is not to copy what we old cynical guys have done. It is to experiment with inspirational reporting, inject nuances and reconnect with audiences. It is to rethink journalism. Because, while journalism might be part of the reason of the trust meltdown in democracy, it just has to be part of the solution.”
So thrilled to see the talent and engagement among future journalists all over Australia learning about constructive news. @ConstructiveIn @AarhusUni @dmjx @JN_Institute #dkmedier #thejunction Making a Difference: Constructive Journalism 2020. https://t.co/GwM7zmvjWu via @YouTube pic.twitter.com/aNKlpiDPqB
— Ulrik Haagerup (@UlrikHaagerup) October 27, 2020
RMIT journalism lecturer and Executive Producer of the television programs, Janak Rogers, said: “It’s a real privilege to work with so many fantastic emerging journalists and broadcast professionals from across the country.”
“The project is a real showcase for their skills and determination.”