Different horses, different courses

Abstract

Media degrees have been under attack, even in this journal. An educator defends the values of higher journalistic education Journalists turned academic Delano writes that few occupations display such a gulf between ideals and reality as journalism and journalism education is no different. Journalism graduates will learn whatever their particular university is best able to offer. Universities are far from equal. Some turn out better history or science graduates than others. Some have demanding entrance requirements; others are so desperate for funding that they will admit virtually all comers. Some will not have the equipment to teach journalism to modern requirements; administration or staff may not be up to the job… So what is the value of a journalism degree? Even though it is now being taught and studied as never before, journalism continues to elude definition.