New Journalism Course In 1968

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31151, 30 August 1966, Page 16

New Journalism Course In 1968

The first post-graduate course in journalism or public communication in New Zealand will be started by the University of Canterbury in 1968.

It will appoint a senior lecturer for the course at the beginning of next year. He will study such education in the United States, possibly Canada, and also in Britain and submit his course structure in the middle of next year.

Announcing this yesterday, the Vice-Chancellor (Professor N. C. Phillips) said financial support had been given by:—The New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation, £3OOO over three years; the Newspaper Proprietors’ Associa-

tion, £1000; the New Zealand Journalists’ Association, £100; the “Christchurch Star” and “The Press”, Christchurch, £9OO each over three years. This gave £5900 to launch the scheme.

Professor Phillips said agreement on the general nature of the course had been reached after long discussions with interested parties. The old diploma in journalism course had been discontinued about 15 years ago and was not revived because academic staff felt that one unit of journalism was not adequate. The former Vice-Chancellor (Dr. L. L. Pownall) then invited Dr. E. W. Barrett, Dean of the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, New York, to visit New Zealand, meet Interested parties, and report to the Canterbury University Council. The Professorial Board approved a basis for negotiation with news interests and agreement on the post-graduate course and new appointment had now been reached.

The nature of the course would be recommended by the new senior lecturer, Professor Phillips said, but it seemed likely to involve some co-operation by other university departments. It would not be technical because all concerned agreed that techniques could be learned on the job.

The University Grants Committee would be asked to allow bursaries to apply to the new course.

“There is no need to emnhasise the significance of ♦his development.” said Professor Phillips. “This will be the first such course In New Zealand. We have good broadcasting and newspaper services in this country, but the university should encourage still higher standards in mass media.”