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The Bristol Cable

The Bristol Cable Media Lab 2018

A free 10 session course worth £100s in the fundamentals of quality journalism.

 February 2018 – June 2018

Applications for the 2018 programme are now closed. 

So what’s the programme?

Crack open the media with the Cable.

This programme is for aspiring journalists and those who want to use communication, research and journalistic storytelling to create a better world.

You’ll work in small teams to create and publish a series of stories on an important issue using the training and guidance you receive over the course. We encourage and facilitate multi-media as well as written journalism.

Trainers include journalists from the Guardian, the Centre for Investigative Journalism, the MediaWise Trust and the Bristol Cable. See the video below for a flavour of last year’s course.

What are the sessions?

Leading journalists show you the tools of the trade.

Sessions are introductions to the skills and issues, however, they will be challenging. You will be expected to complete all sessions, homework and other projects. Throughout the course you will be mentored and supported by members of the Cable team. Personal circumstances will be accommodated.

The Course

You will work in small teams alongside a Cable co-ordinator to produce a mini series on a chosen topic. In between sessions, you will work with your Cable mentor and team to progress your project and complete small homework tasks. (There may be some alterations to the timetable).

Session and trainers Description Where and when
Getting started with Media Lab with the Cable team In this session you will learn about the Cable, meet each other and get into teams to begin planning a series of content on a chosen topic. Thursday 22.02.18
18:30
Snacks and refreshments on hand!
St Pauls Learning Centre, BS2 8XJ
The crisis and future of local media with Gareth Davies, a veteran local journalist now with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism It’s well known that there is a crisis in local journalism. But how did we get here? What’s happening now and can we get out of it? Learn about the media landscape you’ll be working in. Thursday 01.03.2018
18:30
Venue TBC
Life as a local journalist with Emma Youle, award winning local journalist Pick up pro tips and the ins and outs from a tireless local journalist. Saturday 17.03.18
12:30
The Station, BS1 2AG
Pitching your ideas In this session we’ll tighten up ideas and drill down into the specifics of the stories your team is working on. Thursday 29.03.18
18:30
St Pauls Learning Centre, BS2 8XJ
Telling powerful stories with Gary Younge, an editor-at-large of the Guardian and crafter of compelling stories Learn how to take stories off the page and into people’s lives. Thursday 19.04.18
18:30
Venue TBC
Making the most of online information with Leila Haddou, investigative and data journalist currently at the Times and Sunday Times Learn the techniques to quickly find what you need online. Thursday 26.04.18
18:30
St Pauls Learning Centre, BS2 8XJ
Two part session: Progress check- in & making use of the Freedom of Information Act with Phil Chamberlain, head of department at UWE Film and Journalism school Check in with your Cable mentor, followed by a workshop on how to get information from public sector organisations using the Freedom of Information Act. Thursday 10.05.18
18:30
St Pauls Learning Centre, BS2 8XJ
Two part session: Ethics, law and drafting your stories with Mike Jempson, veteran journalist and co-founder & director of journalism ethics charity The MediaWise Trust We want to do responsible and ethical journalism. And we don’t want to get sued. We’ll also learn about the key aspects of bringing your stories to publication. Saturday 26.05.18
12:30
The Station, BS1 2AG
Progress check-in Check in with your Cable mentor and team on your projects. Week of 4th June by arrangement
Next steps! As a team, we’ll plan how to apply and build on what we’ve learnt including finalising your projects. Saturday 16.06.18
12:30
The Station, BS1 2AG

Do I need previous journalism experience or higher education qualifications?

Ideally you will have shown an interest in this area before, but it is not a requirement. You do not need higher education qualifications.

Do I need to have English as my first language?

No. However we will sometimes be working with complex information and techniques. You will be supported throughout the course.

Do I need to pay?

No. Although the course is worth hundreds per participant, this course is free to access. This is made possible by Cable members and our organisational supporter, the Centre for Investigative Journalism.

So what do I need?

You need the enthusiasm and attitude that will see you through a challenging programme in full. You need a strong interest in social and community issues, locally and beyond. Most of all, you need a commitment to the principles of the Cable: to create and spread interesting and accurate ideas, to challenge the powerful and to work collaboratively.

How do I apply?

There are ten places available on this exclusive course. You must be able to commit to all 10 sessions and complete the course in full. Fill out this short application form by 9pm on 12th February 2018. You will be informed if you are successful by the 15th of February.

Unfortunately applications are only open to people living in Bristol and immediately surrounding area.

All sessions will take place in wheelchair accessible venues. 

In partnership with:

Center for Investigative Journalism Logo

Archive of the 2016 medialab course

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