FUTURE MEDIA MANAGEMENT

For the second time, the Centre for Media Studies at SSE Riga announces a four-module programme for news media founders, chief editors and publishers. This programme is designed for journalists and media managers from Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Participants are mainly founders, directors, executives or managers of independent news outlets who want to develop sustainable business models for their enterprises.

This programme provides training in basic business skills, comparable to a compact MBA programme, that enables those who  have launched or who direct independent news media outlets to develop sustainable business models.

In four five-day modules spaced three months apart, founders or directors of both non-profit and for-profit independent outlets will learn how they can improve their leadership, strategy, marketing and financial management skills.

Participants from a news background will acquire essential business capabilities; those from a business background will gain insight into how their experience may be applied in journalism.

To our knowledge, this is the first and only programme of its kind in Europe, if not the world. It draws together new research on independent news business models, including original case studies, and experience from professionals on the cutting edge of change.

The programme’s four modules are taught by scholars and practitioners with deep collective experience in the news industry and business training. They not only provide knowledge, they also create it (for example through case studies), with the help of participants. Expert guests complete the faculty.

Those selected for the programme will be expected to study hard, to participate in discussions and group work, and to provide critical insight from their own experiences. They must help not only themselves, but also other participants, to explore, analyse and solve their business issues. They are expected to be proficient in reading and speaking English, and competent in writing proposals and presentations in English.

Work rules for this programme are the same as for other executive-level training. Participants are required to set aside the work of running a publication during the four modules, in order to participate fully, and to arrive in class prepared for discussion. If you are selected, you are advised to delegate day-to-day responsibilities to someone else, to allow you to concentrate on the course.  Time will be provided for communication with the home office on a daily basis during extended lunch breaks and coffee breaks. There will be training related evening events on three out of five evenings during every module.  No use of smartphones or browsing is allowed in class, unless assigned by the instructor. By applying to the programme, you agree to abide by these rules.

All participants will be selected on a full scholarship basis. Only citizens or legal residents of Russia and Eastern Partnership countries may apply. Online applications must be submitted by September 1, 2018.

The programme is funded by the Swedish Institute.