News Corp Australia and Google Australia teamed up to announce the launch of The Digital News Academy (DNA) back in January.
The Academy will equip this generation of news professionals with the next set of skills they need to deepen their ability to keep the public informed in an era of increased digital publishing.
DNA will focus on regional and community journalism and provide the latest tools, techniques and insights on digital journalism, audience behaviour data, immersive storytelling methods and commercial news models for publishers of all sizes.
The Academy’s curriculum will be delivered by the Melbourne Business School, the University of Melbourne’s internationally renowned graduate school in business and economics.
News Corp Australasia’s executive chairman Michael Miller said the Academy was part of an ongoing commitment and reinvestment in journalism and its role in building a stronger Australia by keeping society informed through strong and fearless news reporting and advocacy.
The first of 2022’s three student cohorts, comprising 50 journalists from News Corp Australia, leading regional publisher Australian Community Media and smaller media partners, will begin tuition on March 28.
In the first three years, 750 media professionals will complete the nine-month program. A specially convened governance committee will select candidates, comprising a mix of self-nominated and chosen participants from partner media organisations, particularly regional and community ones.
Each student cohort will be split into five-person groups featuring a mix of experience and seniority, from junior reporters to senior editors. These groups will also collaborate to generate, build, and sell stories to the course’s Virtual Academy Newsroom.
Each year’s schedule will include a significant journalism conference and a US study tour for a select group of trainees.
News Corp chief executive Robert Thomson said: “We are delighted to partner with Google and Melbourne Business School in providing meaningful opportunities for young Australians in journalism through the Digital News Academy.
“It is crucial that young journalists fully comprehend the potential of digital reporting and delivery, but that they also be well-versed in the traditional journalistic imperative of fact-based reporting.”
Google’s director, news partnerships APAC, Kate Beddoe, said the company was pleased to support the launch of the Academy.
“The Academy will provide training on everything from data journalism to audience measurement, right through to highly-specialised topics like podcasting.
“The traineeships will also provide a vital boost to regional journalism, with 60 students from regional newsrooms to benefit over the next three years.
The Digital News Academy builds on the significant support Google has provided to the Australian news industry, and we look forward to seeing the results,” Beddoe added.
See also: News Corp and Google to launch The Digital News Academy education program
See also: News Corp Australia, Google Australia team up to launch Digital Journalism Academy