Training in journalism

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32848, 23 February 1972, Page 16

Training in journalism

New Zealand’s only university course in journalism, the diploma course at the University of Canterbury, has this year had two applicants for each of its 14 places. Half the entry consists of honours graduates. The reader in journalism at the university (Mr W. James) said that he hoped the academic standard of entry could be raised still higher in future years. “Newspapers and broadcasting are so important in a balanced democracy that their staffs need a quota of men and women as able as the best of the Public Service entry,” Mr James said. Only by recruitment at this level could the news media exert a proper check on government. This was the contribution the universities could help to make. Commenting on the course entry figures, Mr James said he thought interest had been stimulated by the arrival from the 8.8. C. in London of Mr G. Hollingworth as senior lecturer.

Many of the students had ambitions in broadcasting — and Mr Hollingworth’s experience as chief of the 8.8. C. radio news room, and his two years as head of the 8.8.C.’s training of journalists made him as good a guide as could be found in the Commonwealth.