LESSONS IN JOURNALISM

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 74, 28 March 1930, Page 10

LESSONS IN JOURNALISM

REFUSED BY COLLEGE COUNCIL

A letter signed by 34 students at the Victoria University College was received by the University, College Council last night, asking whether the council could arrange for a class in practical journalism during tho present session.

Professor Rankine Brown said that there wore several serious difficulties in the way of such a project. In the first place, two-thirds, of the students who had signed the letter wercS women, and there was really no opening in journalism for women in New Zealand; and, secondly, it was very doubtful whether the college could procure -a tutor to teach the subject, which was a very difficult one. Further, in addition to passing certain subjects in tho arts degree course, those who wished to obtain the diploma in journalism would have to pass an examination in practical journalism and have six months' .practical experience of newspaper work; and he found that it was practically impossible for a person of 21 or 22 years of age to get that six months' experience. He had approached one 6f the Wellington editors on the matter, and he had endorsed the view of the Professorial Board, that the' whole thing was visionary and impracticable. The diploma in journalism was intended for people actually engaged in journalism, to enable them to make themselves more competent journalists. It was not intended for people not so employed. Mr. P. Lcvi (chairman' of the council): "I think tho students have misunderstood the position."

On the motion of Professor Brown, the council resolved to take no action in the matter.