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Regional press news - this story published 13 August 2008

Multimedia journalism course set for launch

by holdthefrontpage staff

A new three-year degree course in multimedia journalism is to be launched in a bid to help the profession keep pace with the digital revolution.

Canterbury Christ Church University is offering 36 places on its new BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism course which starts next month.

The university claims the three-year degree will equip students with the multimedia skills and understandings needed to work as journalists in the digital age.

It seeks to meet the growing demand for journalists who understand the possibilities of the new technologies and can use them to create high-quality journalism in a wide range of formats.

Head of the media department David Bradshaw, a former BBC North Africa Correspondent and writer for The Economist, said: "Most other journalism programmes require students to focus on print or broadcast journalism.

"But the BA in Multimedia Journalism gives students the chance to build a much broader skillset, developing professional skills in print, radio, television and online journalism in all three years of the programme.

"This responds to the way the profession is moving and gives graduates greater flexibility when applying for jobs.

"The programme will also develop students' critical-thinking and academic skills and provides a valuable foundation for other media professions, from public relations to advertising, as well as a wide range of traditional graduate-level jobs."

The programme has been designed to meet the criteria of the three journalism training bodies, the National Council for the Training of Journalists, the Broadcast Journalism Training Council and the Periodicals Training Council, and accreditation is now being sought from these.

Students will study a range of modules including: news and features, television and radio journalism, multimedia journalism, law and ethics, public affairs, media and politics and international media.

The entry requirements are BCC at A-Level, while the university says evidence of involvement in journalism at school or college, or work experience on hospital or local radio or on a newspaper or magazine would be an advantage.

Anyone wanting further information or to apply can contact Canterbury Christ Church University’s Admissions Department on 01227 782900 or email admissions@canterbury.ac.uk.

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Alun Hill, MCIJ (13/08/2008 11:08)
Err, 3 years? In multimedia journalism? Let me look at my desk. Hmm, this laptop and built in wifi and camera allow me to broadcast to the world, easily. Couldn't have done that 3 years ago. My spy camera was 100 times the size then - you'd never spot it now. I wonder what else will change over the next 3 years .. and make these "gruaduates" unemployable? Basic presentations may remain, but won't take 3 years to learn... a waste of time, in my opinion.

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Bmth Multimedia Journalism Graduate (13/08/2008 23:00)
As a graduate of the BA(Hons) MMJ course Mr. Bradshaw was the previous Head of, I find Mr. Hill’s comment to be incredibly naive. Not only has the course given me a massive insight into the world of new media, it has given me a huge advantage over journalism graduates applying to the same jobs in the ever-competitive field. 'New media' - when applied to journalism - doesn't just mean sending stories via wireless Internet and doing video interviews as you suggest. Employers have been so grateful that I can not only perform the role of the ‘traditional’ journalist, but I can do the jobs of video and audio editors, producers and html specialists – an advantage to employers in the current credit crisis. The course has also taught me not to spell ‘graduates’ as ‘gruaduates’. Worth the three years, I’d say!

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From the NCTJ (14/08/2008 09:48)
The National Council for the Training of Journalists would like to point out that we have not been contacted by Canterbury Christ Church University with a view to accreditation for this course. A full list of NCTJ accredited courses are listed on our website www.nctj.com

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Another Bmth Multimedia Journalism Graduatte (15/08/2008 09:21)
As another graduate from Bournemouth, now working for a national publication, I would like to applaud the previous graduates’ comments. I have found the skills from my degree invaluable. In fact, I’m pretty sure that I have secured jobs on the pure basis of having NTCJ qualifications, shorthand, online, video, radio and writing skills. However, I would like to add that courses such as the Bournemouth Multi-Media Journalism do not offer an “easy” path into the real journalism world. Experience, a core requirement, is as important as having the degree itself.

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