Daily News offers free training for volunteer community journalists

The Daily News is kicking off a program offering free journalism classes to Chicago residents interested in covering events and issues in their neighborhoods.

The program, which is run by the Daily News and Columbia College’s journalism department, will start by training volunteers in three pilot neighborhoods – Bronzeville, South Loop and Gold Coast. Daily News editors and Columbia professors will teach a series of monthly seminars covering topics like spotting stories, reporting to ensure accuracy and fairness, and writing techniques. Participants will write stories for publication on the ChiTownDailyNews.org website.

The program begins with a reception and organizational meeting Thursday, June 22, at 7:15 p.m. at Columbia College’s Loop Campus, 33 E. Congress. The program is free of charge, and no reservations are required. Those interested in participating may contact Daily News editor Geoff Dougherty at 312-208-1234 or geoff@chitowndailynews.org. New program events and information will be posted at http://www.chitowndailynews.org/making_news/.

The Chi-Town Daily News is a non-profit local news website that focuses on involving Chicago residents in local affairs by encouraging them to cover neighborhood issues.