Also for journalism education, CSL can be applied in a useful and innovative way. Instead of carrying out ‘sterile’ journalistic assignments, students are invited to get to know societal partners in the environment of their institution and produce stories which are relevant for the community which surrounds them.

This creates an opportunity for students to reflect on the role of journalism on a hyperlocal level but also on the role of journalism as such. Topics like catering for an audience, constructive journalism and empowering communities by providing them with more (relevant) information can be related to this kind of journalism education.

In this project, students of a Brussels journalism programme collaborated with a local media organization and with a community centre in the area of the university. They produced journalistic stories which were published in the media outlets of the partner organizations.