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Led by the Guardian's southern Europe editor John Hooper, this comprehensive seminar covers a variety of subjects to show you how to operate successfully in distant – and sometimes hostile – territories, whether as a visiting writer or full-time foreign correspondent. This one-day course covers the nuts of bolts of the trade – from the kit you need to how to get insurance. It also provides an overview of the opportunities available for aspiring international journalists, and advice on how to break into the industry.
A panel of speakers round out the day with top tips and valuable specialist knowledge. Guardian video producer John Domokos shows how to create video content that satisfies the demands of online news outlets, while assistant news editor Max Benato offers a no-nonsense guide to pitching from abroad, so that you can contact any foreign desk with confidence – and a significantly better chance of securing a commission.
Finally, veteran columnist Jonathan Steele presents a plain-speaking session on the challenges and protocols of reporting from conflict zones – an essential primer for anyone considering this uniquely demanding area of journalism. You'll finish the day knowing your way around the rapidly changing international journalism industry, and with a better understanding of the risks and difficulties of the job.
This course is for you if...
- You're a journalism student interested in working internationally
- You're an established journalist who is considering a leap into foreign correspondence, either as a freelance or staffer
- You're a press officer or PR who needs to understand the world of international journalism for your role
Course description
This large-scale seminar aims to give attendees a brief but thorough grounding in the essentials of operating as a journalist across international borders. Topics covered on the day include:
- Insights into a changing employment market: including how the internet is creating new opportunities
- Preparation and operation: advice on everything from equipment to insurance
- International video reporting: how web videos differ from classic TV journalism
- The view from the desk: how to pitch stories and secure commissions
- Hostile environment reporting: dos and don'ts for reporters whose assignments take them to conflict zones
Tutor profiles
John Hooper is the southern Europe editor of the Guardian and Observer. An award-winning journalist and author, John has worked as a foreign correspondent for more than thirty years, and has reported from over fifty countries. His latest book, The Italians, is to be published on January 29. You can follow him on Twitter, @john_hooper.
John Domokos joined the Guardian as a founder member of the video department in 2007, having worked in magazines and as a TV news producer. He has produced multi-platform reports from around the world. In 2012 he was shortlisted for Editorial Individual of the Year by the Association of Online Publishers and has had Guardian work shown on BBC Newsnight and BBC Panorama. You can follow him on Twitter, @johndomokos.
Max Benato is an assistant news editor at the Guardian. Max commissions stories from correspondents around the globe for both the web and print, and is currently regional editor for southern Europe, working closely with the Guardian's correspondents in the region.
Jonathan Steele is a Guardian columnist, roving foreign correspondent and author. Since 9/11 he has reported from Afghanistan and Iraq as well as on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. His new book is Ghosts of Afghanistan. In 2006, Jonathan won a Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism Special Award in honor of his career contributions.
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Details
Date: Sunday 25 January 2015
Times: 10am-4pm. Check-in begins 30 minutes before start time.
Location: The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU
Prices: £129 (includes VAT, booking fee, lunch and refreshments)
Event capacity: 100
To contact us, click here. Terms and conditions can be found here.
Returns policy
Tickets may be refunded if you contact us at least 14 days before the course start date. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.
