CNN teams up with journalism schools for new iReport University

Broadcaster CNN has launched a new mentoring initiative for student journalists as part of its user-generated site iReport.

The new CNN iReport University will team up with journalism schools across the globe and invite five final-year students from each to become a Student iReporter subject to an application process.

The successful students will take part in developing story ideas for a new CNN iReport University website and receive feedback from CNN's editorial team on how to develop strong pitches.

City University London has already signed up as a partner for the new scheme, CNN told Journalism.co.uk.

"The ability to find a good story is the start of good journalism, The aim of our initiative is to offer practical experience to better equip today's most promising journalism students to move seamlessly into the world of reporting and producing once they have graduated," says Lila King, director of participation for CNN.com, in release.

Speaking to Journalism.co.uk, a spokeswoman for CNN said the broadcaster has initially looked at journalism schools in 13 countries, including the UK, for potential partners. The new initiative will focus on institutions outside of the US, where CNN already has a domestic programme working with student journalists.

The iReport project was first launched by CNN in 2006. A standalone site was launched in 2008 and the initiative celebrated its second birthday by breaking the 175,000 barrier in submissions.

Free daily newsletter

If you like our news and feature articles, you can sign up to receive our free daily (Mon-Fri) email newsletter (mobile friendly).