On the job or in the classroom?

We discussed the opportunities (or relative lack thereof) for thorough training in the T&T media last class. I encouraged the class to take advantage of the practice and exposure this course offers, and to pay attention to the mechanical framework the programme provides.

NPR recently ran a story highlighting some of the journalism education issues I brought up near the end of our session. "What's the Point of Journalism School Anyway?" questions the wisdom of pursuing (often costly) tertiary qualifications for an industry which, as the writer points out, doesn't even require a degree. The story also notes the concerns of students regarding the industry-wide shift away from traditional media to new media like the internet.

Take a read. It's relevant to your interests.

Wilson argues that good citizenship and a vibrant press are inextricably linked.

"If you look around the world, whether it's a developed country or a developing country ... if that country has a free and independent press it's much more likely they're going to be a democracy," he says. "And I think those of us in [the] journalism education field have an obligation to help train people to provide information in the public interest."