Report with purpose
Turn a broad topic into a focused question, identify who is affected and build a reporting plan before you start calling sources.
Eight-week online course · English · Canada-wide
Learn to report what happened—and show how you know.
Foundations of Reporting is a practical introduction to interviewing, verification, public records and clear news writing for aspiring reporters and career changers.
- Format
- Live online workshops
- Commitment
- 4–6 hours weekly
- Level
- Beginner
01
Built around the habits of a working newsroom.
Each week combines a focused lesson, an editor-led workshop and a reporting assignment. The course emphasizes process—not hot takes, personal branding or promises of employment.
The programme
A clear route from first pitch to filed story.
Verify every element
Separate observation from assertion, check names and numbers, document your sources and correct mistakes transparently.
Write for readers
Structure a concise news story, attribute information precisely and revise for accuracy, context and plain language.
Curriculum
Eight weeks. Eight newsroom beats.
Assignments build toward a reported 800–1,000 word final story. Feedback focuses on sourcing, evidence, structure and fairness.
- Week 01
Finding the story
News judgment, audience, focus and the difference between a topic and a reportable question.
- Week 02
Sources & interviews
Source mapping, interview preparation, follow-up questions, consent and accurate quotation.
- Week 03
Verification
Primary and secondary sources, claim tracing, image checks and a repeatable verification log.
- Week 04
Public records
How Canadian public bodies publish information, document searches and an introduction to access requests.
- Week 05
Numbers in the news
Percentages, rates, surveys, basic spreadsheets and how to avoid misleading comparisons.
- Week 06
News writing
Leads, nut grafs, attribution, chronology and writing with precision under a word limit.
- Week 07
Editing & ethics
Fairness, privacy, conflicts, corrections, legal awareness and the editor–reporter conversation.
- Week 08
File & review
Final fact-check, headline workshop, publication memo and a one-to-one editorial review.
Instruction
Editors who teach the decisions behind the draft.
Sessions are led by working journalists and editors. Instructor assignments may vary by course date; the teaching roles below stay consistent.
Lead reporting editor
Maya Ellis
Guides pitches, interviews and story structure, with an emphasis on local accountability reporting and useful edits.
Verification instructor
Daniel Chen
Teaches source evaluation, open-source verification and practical systems for documenting a story’s evidence.
Standards editor
Sofia Nadeau
Leads sessions on fairness, privacy, corrections and ethical decision-making in Canadian reporting contexts.
Northline Newsroom School is an independent education provider. The course is not an accredited college or university programme and does not guarantee employment or publication.
Weekly rhythm
A schedule designed around working hours.
Live classes are hosted in Eastern Time and include written notes. Course dates and instructor availability are confirmed before enrolment opens.
TuesdayEditorial lesson90 minutes · live online
ThursdayNewsroom workshop75 minutes · live online
WeekendReporting assignment2–4 hours · independent
Following weekEditor feedbackWritten notes and group review
Newsroom standards
The course’s editorial commitments.
Accuracy before speed
Students are expected to confirm facts, retain reporting notes and distinguish verified information from unanswered questions.
Fairness in process
People and organizations subject to significant criticism receive a meaningful opportunity to respond before a story is filed.
Transparent corrections
Errors are acknowledged and corrected clearly. Learning to repair the record is part of learning to report.
Respect for sources
Assignments require honest identification, careful handling of vulnerable sources and clear discussion of on- and off-record terms.
FAQ
Questions before the first assignment.
For course accessibility or a question not answered here, email hello@northlinenewsroom.ca.
Do I need previous journalism experience?
No. The course starts with core reporting practices. Strong reading and written English are helpful, but published work is not required.
Is the course available outside Ontario?
Yes. Teaching is online and intended for learners across Canada. Live session times are listed in Eastern Time.
Are sessions recorded?
Course notes are provided. Recording availability depends on source privacy and the exercise being taught, so attendance at live workshops is recommended.
Will my final story be published?
Publication is not guaranteed. The final assignment is reviewed as a newsroom draft, and students retain ownership of their original work.
What equipment will I need?
A computer, reliable internet, headphones and a way to take notes. A phone recorder can be useful, with the interviewee’s knowledge and consent.
Contact the school
Ask about curriculum, timing or accessibility.
hello@northlinenewsroom.ca
Online instruction across Canada
Reply hours: Monday–Friday, 09:00–17:00 ET