With its myriad television stations, newspapers and magazines, New York City is undoubtedly the media capital of the world.

That’s why the World Journalism Institute, an independent school of journalism at The King’s College, trains aspiring Christian journalists pursuing careers in the mainstream media here.

The World Journalism Institute, founded by Robert Case (a Covenant Seminary grad and long-time professional journalist), aims to “recruit, equip, place and encourage Christians in the mainstream newsrooms of America first and then the world.” The summer course, with on-site classes held in the Empire State Building, aims to teach accurate reporting, while emphasizing a biblical worldview. It lasts from May 16-July 10.

Each summer, Case invites respected professionals to teach the eight-week course. This summer’s teachers include Manny Garcia of El Nuevo Herald, Clayton Sizemore of CNN, Russell Pulliam of the Indianapolis Star, Tony Carnes of Christianity Today and R. Albert Mohler of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Students also hear from industry professionals during lunch seminars. Notable speakers during the course include Joseph Bottum, editor of First Things; Jonathan Tobin, executive editor of Commentary magazine; and S.E. Cupp, a freelance writer based in New York City.

This year, 16 students were selected after a rigorous application process. They learn the growing need for journalists to be proficient not only in traditional print media, but also to feel comfortable with new media. To help learn this “backpack journalism,” students learn elements of podcasting, internet reporting, blogs, photojournalism and video reporting, in addition to enhancing their writing skills.

Alumni of WJI have worked for The New York Times, Public Radio International, the Bangor (ME) Daily News, and World magazine. Other alumni have interned for The Jerusalem Post, Essence, CBS News in New York, and the Hartford (CT) Courant. WJI awards paid internships to the top students completing the course.

The World Journalism Institute’s offices are located at The King’s College, located in the Empire State Building in New York City.

Source: http://www.tkc.edu/media/newsrelease.asp?id=213 [Editor’s note: the original URL (link) referenced in this article is no longer valid, so the link has been removed.]