We're joining News Corp Australia and Google to deliver the Digital News Academy
Melbourne Business School has been chosen to deliver a major new capability academy to support the future of journalism.
News Corp Australia and Google Australia this week launched the Digital News Academy, a world-leading partnership to 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.
The Academy will comprise the latest tools, techniques and insights on digital journalism, audience behaviour data, immersive storytelling methods and commercial news models for publishers of all sizes and will have a special focus on regional and community journalism.
Ian Harper AO, Dean of Melbourne Business School, said the Academy was a profound education initiative that built on the School's expertise in digital and organisational learning.
"We believe the Digital News Academy has the potential to transform the future of organisational learning, as well as journalism," Mr Harper said.
"Melbourne Business School has been at the forefront of leadership and capability development for many years. Now we're breaking new ground by partnering with two global industry leaders to deliver a world-class academy that will give participants an immersive online experience linked directly to organisational strategy."
News Corp Australasia's executive chairman Michael Miller said the Academy was part of an ongoing commitment to 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 Academy will play a role in equipping news media organisations and news professionals – from on the ground reporters to editors and publishers – with the toolkit, skillset and mindset to meet the opportunities that digital media provides," Mr Miller said.
"Journalism's importance to the health and wellbeing of our communities cannot be overstated and the Academy will help it remain a vibrant and critical part of how society functions.
"Other media companies such as Australian Community Media and, over time, a host of small and regional news companies are important partners in the Academy in ensuring that news media remains strong public advocates.
"I'd like to thank Google, Melbourne Business School and all of our media partners for working with us on this important initiative and for Google's acknowledgement of journalism's critical importance and its value to society."
News Corp Australia's group executive of Corporate Affairs, Policy and Government Relations, Campbell Reid will be the inaugural Head of Academy and highly respected journalism academic and ABC and SBS journalist Sonja Heydeman will be its Director.
Google's Director, News Partnerships APAC, Kate Beddoe, said the company was pleased to support the launch of the Digital News Academy.
"The Academy will provide training on everything from data journalism, to audience measurement, right through to highly-specialised topics like podcasting," Ms Beddoe said.
"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."
In its first three years 750 media professionals will complete the nine-month program. A specially convened governance committee will make the final selection of candidates, comprising a mix of self-nominated and chosen participants from partner media organisations, particularly regional and community ones.
More information about the Academy can be found at digitalnews.academy.
To learn more about organisational learning at Melbourne Business School, visit our For Organisations page.