The Multicultural Journalism Program

What is the Multicultural Journalism Program?

 

For 39 years, The Alabama Scholastic Press Association has been committed to increasing diversity in America's newsrooms with its Multicultural Journalism Program. (Scroll down for more information on the program or check out our full history at this site.)

 

Check out our previous newspapers and websites at these links:

2021 website and showcase

2019 website and newspaper

2018 website and newspaper

2017 website and newspaper

2016 website and newspaper

2015 website and newspaper

2014 website and newspaper

2013 website and newspaper

 

So, why should you participate in MJW?

 

Summer Workshop

While still in high school, 10 to 15 students are selected to attend an intensive workshop held in Tuscaloosa, Alabama each summer. The workshop emphasizes multimedia reporting, writing, editing, graphics, photography, production and basic communication skills, and participants produce the MJP Journal to showcase what they've learned. Fill out an application if you are interested in being considered for this program. The deadline is April 1 each year.

 

Recruiting and Follow-Up

Through a partnership with the Alabama Scholastic Press Association, with offices at the University of Alabama, and other high school media organizations, we stay in touch with scholastic publications, advisers and workshop graduates year-round. We work with them to identify potential MJP students, but anyone is encouraged to apply for the MJW Workshop by the April 1 application deadline.

 

Professional Mentors

The resident workshop faculty is augmented by journalists from around the state and nation, so every student has an editor/coach. Many of these mentors stay in touch with their assigned youngsters throughout the year and  into their careers.

 

Lab Newspaper, Online and Broadcast

The workshop is hands-on from the first day. In our Digital Media Center, students publish a newspaper and website under the direction of the faculty and visiting professionals. They produce news stories, video, social media, photos and feature packages (for broadcast and print/online). They also study reporting, editing, media economics, new media, and media law, ethics and history. They conduct interviews with newsmakers in  Alabama cities, towns and communities.

 

Career Tracking

We track graduates and invite them back to work in the summer workshop and as guest speakers during the academic year. We also host a reunion dinner in January for the previous summer's class. The UA MJP director and department chair assist them in career advancement. Our database contains career information on hundreds of professionals.

 

Join us for the 38th annual Multicultural Journalism Workshop Summer, 2022!

 

The purpose of the workshop is to give high school students experience that teaches them more about college life and a career in media. The 2022 workshop will be held June 3-12 on the University of Alabama campus. Please note: We always allow for the possibility the workshop may have to be moved to virtual, depending on COVID19 status at the time.

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Students who will be in the 9th grade through freshman year in college in fall 2022 are eligible to attend the workshop. Students do not have to live in Alabama. The program is free and the program supplies housing, meals and field trips, as well as top-notch, intensive instruction by industry professionals. Transportation to and from Tuscaloosa is the student’s responsibility. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2022.

 

Questions? Contact us at 205-348-ASPA (2772) or e-mail us at mjp@ua.edu.

 

When applying, please complete:

1. A completed 2022 application.

2. An official transcript of grades and standardized test scores.

3. A typed, 500-word essay explaining your interest in journalism. Include at least 100 words about your interest in journalism in an increasingly diverse society.

4. Writing samples, preferably photocopies, of published stories or articles or web links to broadcast work. Brief unpublished manuscripts or broadcast scripts are also acceptable.

5. A list of school and community activities and work experience.

6. A signed recommendation from a principal, teacher, guidance counselor or media professional on organization letterhead.