Why local and digital is better for the environment
A group of bloggers have organised a Carnival of Journalism, each month addressing different key issues in the profession. This month it’s hosted by Andy Dickinson, who set the question: Is (digital) journalism better the more local it is and what does that do to growth?
I’m not one of the official cavorters, but it got me thinking anyway about local (digital) media and environmental journalism. For me, the crossover of local/digital journalism and environmental sustainability could be a fantastic growth opportunity for regional media, as well as local citizen journalism groups and networks, with the result being increased environmental awareness and activity. Read more
Bloggers need awareness of law, ethics
We’re working on a new digital project at Sunderland that will give our students a great outlet to develop their skills online. One of the key issues we’re coming up against, of course, is the liability that we as a journalism department may have as publishers of student work.
A practical benefit of the new digital platform will be to show students, in practice, the requirement of an understanding of media law if they really, really want to work in media. But such an understanding, according to the latest research from global legal services organisation, DLA Piper, is significantly lacking from current internet users and publishers. The research illustrates that: Read more
Your views: teaching journalism at degree level
Q. What do you think are the benefits for new magazine journalists of a specific, skills-based vocational degree in journalism? (Add your comment below)
Having worked as a magazine journalist since 1994, both in print and online, and having now taught since 2005, I am passionate about making sure that our students get the best industry-relevant degree available.
There has been a credibility gap between academia and industry regarding the teaching of journalism. This is something that as a journalist, editor, managing editor and now academic, I want to do my best to address.
In September 2008 we are launching two new degree programmes aimed at training the next generation of magazine journalists.
Your feedback will be invaluable in helping ensure our students get the best possible degree. Thanks.
Take a look at the programme information for the undergraduate programme for more info, or get in touch, alex[dot]lockwood[at]sunderland.ac.uk
A degree’s worth…?
I’ve had a couple of conversations with my students regarding the value of degrees.
For example, one student, who runs themusicmagazine.co.uk, a pretty sharp self-made music, err, magazine, was wondering what the value of a degree was when he could easily publish and develop as a journalist without having to attend lectures. Particularly when he and many others were feeling those lectures were not relevant enough to their needs, especially for those on the magazine journalism route. Not now, not paying fees. (Talking to a colleague today, he was the second to mention in the last couple of days the increased disgruntlement of students since fees were introduced. I can’t believe any/many are going as far as prostituion to pay their fees, though, as reported in The Times. Don’t do it, Scott…)
My response seemed a good one, so I thought I’d share it with some others. Read more
