What I’m Learning as a journalism creator professor

I’ve been reflecting on how creator journalism is moving from experiment to mainstream—one in three journalists now build independent practices. 

“Report: The Rise of the Creator-Journalist,” published by the Video Consortium in collaboration with Project C and Fordham University is out.

This study examines how independent video creators are sustaining journalistic practices amid shifts from traditional media to social platforms.

Access the report at: https://videoconsortium.org/member-resources/rise-of-creator-journalist-report.

Here’s the analysis that matters for educators, independents, and media builders:

  • What’s structurally different: Legacy outlets are morphing into support networks—offering legal, research, and marketing aid to retain creators as audiences follow individuals, not mastheads. 
  • Who wins / who struggles: Hybrid creator-journalists thrive with higher job security confidence (27% “very confident” vs. 19% traditional); rigid newsrooms lose talent to autonomy seekers. Platforms like YouTube lead for news creators, especially where legacy media weakens. 
  • What to experiment with next: Prototype “creator kits” in workshops (e.g., social-first workflows + AI ideation tools, used by 86% of creators); test certification for journalistic creators to blend trust with virality. 

For me, running Smart Film School and training mobile journalists, this validates pushing smartphone-led, platform-native storytelling—it’s not a side hustle, it’s the durable future.

How the Study Was Built

Mixed methods feel solid here: surveys pitting traditional journalists against creators (plus consumer views on trust/platforms), deepened by real-world interviews.

Why This Hits Home at Smart Film School

Our mobile-first courses aim to help journalists publish where audiences already scroll—direct to social/video, skipping CMS gatekeepers. It’s encouraging to see creators gaining 2x audience growth this way; feels like quiet validation for what we’re building.

My SUSS Creator Course Experience

Teaching video creator grad courses at Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), for the last two years I encourage students to blend institutional chops with independent hustle—on-camera skills, platform savvy, and all. Younger audiences craving real voices? That’s the target we’re aiming for.

Inside the News Creator Sprint

I’ve led News Creator Sprints for a decade, helping journalists prototype social-native workflows that stick. This latest version builds on that experience, now enriched with fresh 2026 research and real-world case studies from hybrid creators thriving in the study. 

Across 10 core lessons, live sessions, modules on human connection/Creator Kit/Content Cascade, plus bonuses in ethics, monetization, editing apps, and vertical video—the sprint equips you to rapidly build series, test live feedback, and iterate formats for audience growth. 

Enroll here: https://www.smartfilmschool.com/courses/news-creator.

Grateful for reports like this—they help refine what we teach. What’s one shift you’re making in your workflow?

News Creator Sprint image featuring with Robb Montgomery

The Creator Growth Sprint

Build your content strategy and grow your audience in this fast-paced, instructor-led workshop.

What You’ll Master

• The Content Cascade: Learn to turn one idea into a library of posts.

• Human Connection: Build a real bond with your followers.

• Rapid Iteration: Launch new series and use live feedback to improve fast.

The Toolkit

• Live Sessions: Real-time training and coaching.

• Resources: Ready-to-use templates, worksheets, and case studies.

• Bonus Modules: Expert guides on monetization, ethical AI, video editing, and vertical video (Reels/TikTok).

The Bottom Line: You’ll walk away with a proven system to create high-quality content consistently and grow your community.

Enroll here: https://www.smartfilmschool.com/courses/news-creator.