Author's media projects in the focus of journalism studios: educational dimensions of media production, media design, and format architectonics

Abstract

Abstract: The article examines authorial media projects as a modern tool for professional journalism training in a university environment. In the context of digital media transformation, authorial formats—podcasts, blogs, multimedia features, documentaries, longreads—are becoming increasingly important as means of self-expression, testing new genre and format solutions, and building connections with audiences. The study focuses on the theoretical understanding of these projects as pedagogical technology within journalism studies. Based on an interdisciplinary approach, content analysis, case studies, observation, and interviews, the feasibility of using authorial formats in journalism education is substantiated. The typological characteristics of authorial media projects, their educational functions, and practical value for the formation of creative thinking, artistic, technical, and design skills, a project-based approach, and media literacy are identified. It has been proven that in journalism education, an author's media project should be understood as a method of comprehensive training for future specialists, combining research work, creative thinking, technical skills, and real communication with the audience. Hence, the scientific novelty of the study is that it proposes to consider an author's media project as a holistic pedagogical, media-professional, and creative format in the training of journalists. Particular attention is paid to the model of implementation of the course “Journalistic Studios: Author's Media Projects,” which is focused on the step-by-step completion by students of the full cycle of media production—from idea generation to publication, promotion, and feedback analysis. This model allows for a harmonious combination of theory and practice, adapts students to the demands of the modern media industry, and promotes the development of their creative autonomy. Keywords: author's media project, model of integration of author's media project into journalism education, media production, media design, typology, and architectonics.