TikTok and North South University (NSU) have organised a two-day journalism and digital storytelling masterclass to train students in mobile-first reporting, responsible content creation and social media storytelling.
Held at the NSU campus, the programme brought together students, journalists, academics, digital creators and media professionals for discussions, platform training sessions and a newsroom visit focused on digital journalism practices.
The masterclass explored the use of short video platforms for news reporting, explainers, interviews, civic information and public-interest storytelling, while covering social-first journalism, audience engagement, vertical video production, fact-checking, digital safety and ethical content creation.
Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of NSU, said the collaboration with TikTok would provide students with valuable learning opportunities as they prepare for careers in journalism, media and digital communication.
A panel discussion titled “What Does the Future Journalist Look Like?” featured Md Harisur Rahman, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Media, Communication and Journalism; Asma Anjum, Trust and Safety Lead at TikTok; Mir Sabbir, Editor of BBC Bangla; and content creator Karan Parihar.
Harisur Rahman said journalism education had evolved beyond traditional reporting, with the responsibility now being to prepare students for careers in conventional newsrooms, digital media, communications and the creator economy.
The second day featured sessions on newsroom practices, storytelling, credibility, news verification and career opportunities in content creation. Researcher and lecturer Md Zahid Hossain Khan shared insights on journalistic ethics and adapting to the digital age, while creators Rashik Mohtasin, known as Magic Razik, and Saba Chowdhury discussed opportunities in the creator economy.
TikTok’s Trust & Safety and Tech Comms Lead for APAC & METAPSAEE, Emad Zafar, said the masterclass aimed to equip aspiring journalists with skills to use short-form video creatively and responsibly while maintaining accuracy, verification, accountability and public interest.
As part of the programme, participants took part in a digital storytelling competition on social issues using the hashtags #growwithtiktok and #nsu. The top three entries were recognised as winners and received gifts and an opportunity to visit a national television broadcaster’s newsroom.
The programme concluded with a certificate and award handover ceremony, where NSU Pro Vice-Chancellor Nasar U Ahmed delivered the closing remarks.
