Columbia launches continuing education course for Nov. 11-13

(By Bruce Shapiro) Dear friends and colleagues,

Freelance and independent journalists face special challenges when
covering crisis, conflict and disaster. Whether the story is social
unrest, natural disaster or war, independent news professionals
operate amid danger without access to the training and support often
available to journalists in large news organizations.

So I am pleased to report that my colleagues at the Columbia Graduate
School of Journalism are launching a new weekend continuing education
course, co-sponsored by the Dart Center, aimed specifically at
helping freelance and independent journalists cover crisis at home and
abroad safely and securely. Running at Columbia from November 11-13,
this intensive program is aimed at preparing journalists, especially
independent freelancers, to think critically about how to work
effectively and safely in volatile situations such as war/conflict or
disaster zones, with emphasis on prevention of harm. The course
includes an overview of basic first aid, risk assessment,
cybersecurity and trauma awareness, and sexual assault prevention. The
faculty include Judith Matloff, director of the International News
Safety Institute/North America; specialist guest speakers; and myself.

Spots are still open in the course, so please pass the word to anyone
you think might be interested. Details are available online at
http://www.journalism.columbia.edu/page/738-reporting-in-crisis-zones/557.

Best
Bruce Shapiro

From Bruce Shapiro,Executive Director
Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
tel +1 212-854-8056 / cell 203 843 4390
www.dartcenter.org