The Peak News Citizen Journalist Course Application

Help Us "Say the Quiet Stuff Out Loud!"

The Peak News is a grassroots broadcast and internet news source launched in January 2024, dedicated to truth-telling and exercising the First Amendment. Our mission is to "Train Up and New Generation of Ethical Citizen Journalists", providing the residents of the Pikes Peak region with the knowledge we need to make informed decisions from a hyper-local perspective, and to help keep accountable those in positions of power.

We do not seek to push an agenda, or to be the ultimate purveyors of truth, but rather to report facts in as unbiased a way as possible and offer commentary with transparent bias, so as to empower each person to determine the truth of any given matter for him or herself. We call it "real journalism".

The Peak News offers a multi-platform news service that includes broadcasts, podcasts, and website. Our Citizen Journalists deliver straightforward and engaging news coverage, emphasizing transparency and accountability.

To support and grow our Citizen Journalist/Internship operational model, we formed The Peak News Educational Foundation (501c3 nonprofit) to create and administer The Peak News Academy". We are currently developing a two-semester Home School Enrichment program for the 2026/27 school year, and are once again teaching our Citizen Journalist Training course in April 2026.

The 4-session Citizen Journalist course will be conducted in-person on Monday evenings in April -- 4/6, 4/13, 4/20, and 4/27 -- from 6 - 8pm in Colorado Springs. Classes might be livestreamed for students who experience extenuating circumstances on any given week, but only one class out of the four can be attended virtually by any individual student, and it should be the intent of applicant to attend all classes in person. The course is provided by The Peak News Educational Foundation at no cost to our students, and donations to help cover the costs are appreciated (and tax deductible.)

The curriculum will cover: Effective Storytelling, Journalistic Ethics, Technical Training, and Constitutional and Legal Concerns in Broadcast Media. Those who complete the course will be certified and credentialed as "Press" for The Peak News.

Please complete and submit the application form below. The class is limited to 12 students, and applications are being considered in the order in which they are received/first-come basis. Minimum age is 16, 13 if accompanied by parent.

Thank you for desiring to join The Peak News Crew. We look forward to having you on the team!

I am applying for the The Peak News Citizen Journalist Certification course being instructed in April of 2026.*

Agreed

Name*

First NameLast Name

Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Email Address*

example@example.com

How did you hear about this Citizen Journalist Course?*

Which Citizen Journalist role do you currently favor (check both if you desire):*

Reporter / Producer (researching and reporting stories)Technical (running the board, recording, editing)

Experience/training/schooling in Journalism, Audio-Visual Tech, and/or other types of Media-related fields. (If non, type: N/A)

Education/Professional Training and Experience in Other Fields*

Personal Skills, Talents, Affinities, Hobbies*

After successfully completing our Citizen Journalist Certification course, approximately how much time per week or per month do you believe you will be able to commit to volunteering as a Citizen Journalist for at least the first three months? (please do not exaggerate, as we will expect you to do your best to follow through with this commitment, within reason.)*

Note: Certain tasks require coming to Salem's radio studios, while much Citizen Journalist work can be done remotely.

Citizen Journalists must cross-train to have basic proficiency in all areas of both reporting and tech, but we expect that each Citizen Journalist will have unique ways of contributing to our group effort. The following questions are to help us get to know you, what you are most passionate about, and how you may best fit our volunteer team:

As a Reporter / Producer, which functions would you prefer to engage in? (Please check all that apply.)*

Determine Topics for News and Feature Reports for consideration of Executive ProducerResearch, Write, and Prepare News and Feature Reports for Broadcast/PodcastRepurpose Audio/Video Reports into Text Format for Website and Social Media DistributionBe On-Air/On-Camera Talent for Reports(No Reporter/Producer Preferences)Other

As a Tech, which functions would you prefer to engage in? (Please check all that apply.)*

As a Reporter AND/OR Tech, which additional functions would you prefer to engage in? (Please check all that apply.)*

Identifying and Booking Guests for the Radio ProgramSocial Media MarketingOther Marketing and Promotions, including Events(No Additional Preferences)Other

Any questions or other info you would like to share?

Signature*

Please verify that you are human*

The Peak News Citizen Journalist Certification Course Application

Course Application