Eager to understand how content is created and consumed on the internet, 56 young individuals participated in the third generation of Master Classes for Мedia and Journalism, conducted by the Institute for Communication Studies throughout February and March. The Master Classes were designed as a series of presentations, exercises, and discussions, to equip participants with the skills needed for the digital era.

The young people became familiar with the dynamics of online content consumption, the reasons for the public’s digital habits, and the importance of creating compelling online narratives. They learned about the rules and techniques for web writing and how to tell stories that are authentic and relevant. They deconstructed and wrote news articles to improve their understanding of narrative structure and the importance of clear and coherent storytelling. They also created infographics to visualize the data in their stories. Participants acquired skills for producing video content with their smartphones, using mobile applications for video editing. They learned how to tell stories through images and people, how to shoot on location, and how to edit.

The Master Classes offered practical advice on how optimized content can significantly increase visibility and impact on the internet, and the discussion on promoting web content on social media explored how these channels can be used for greater audience engagement. A significant focus was placed on verifying visual information in the era of misinformation, especially content manipulated with artificial intelligence, examining practical examples and tools for verifying photos and videos.

After completing the Master Classes for Media and Journalism, the participants produced final media products that were published on www.medium.edu.mk.

The Master Classes for Media and Journalism were conducted in collaboration with IREX as part of the USAID project for media literacy “YouThink”.