We’re half way through the first six-week series of Community News Commons training sessions for citizen journalists and I’m happy to report that the response to these free workshops has been extremely positive. A large and diverse group of people from all walks of life have been attending the sessions. Their questions, comments and suggestions throughout the process, as well as their ideas for stories, and their motivation to participate as citizen journalists, have been inspiring and exciting. It’s apparent from this enthusiastic response that a public media project such as CNC, is wanted and needed in Winnipeg. The rest of the training sessions this month are certain to be just as informative and engaging. The plan is to offer more workshops in the fall and to provide a dedicated space on the website for training tips and tutorial resources.
I’ve also been impressed by the creative collaboration that’s happening with CNC’s primary project partners – The Winnipeg Free Press, Red River College and Winnipeg Public Library. The workshops – held on Tuesday evenings at the Winnipeg Free Press Cafe and on Thursday afternoons at The Millennium Library – feature Free Press journalists and other Winnipeg media professionals who share their skill and expertise with citizen journalists. Red River College students have been the first to contribute a variety of content, in the form of CNC commercials now airing on CTV Television, as well as multimedia journalism stories that will be featured on the CNC website. For its part, Winnipeg Public Library is providing rooms for CNC workshops and some instruction for citizen journalists on utilizing library resources effectively.
The goal of building a collaborative news and information website that’s designed and operated by and for the citizens of Winnipeg and Manitoba, is quickly becoming a reality. In a few weeks, we will be taking the revamped website through its paces before we launch it. We’re looking forward to the various kinds of stories and multimedia that citizen journalists will be posting. As Community News Commons Convener, I invite your input and encourage you to get involved in this exciting initiative.
Training workshops are now available Tuesday evenings and Thursday afternoons from May 15 – June 26. For description, dates and locations, download CNC Training Sessions May + June 2012.
