Profiling innovation in journalism education and practice

The Dangerous Ground investigation: an example of journalism education plus practice

In the United States, six foundations that provide grants for journalism education and innovation have urged universities to adopt a “teaching hospital” model  for journalism schools.

Their statement says:

“In this new digital age, we believe the “teaching hospital” model offers great potential.  At its root, this model requires top professionals in residence at universities. It also focuses on applied research, as scholars help practitioners invent viable forms of digital news that communities need to function in a democratic frame.

We believe journalism and communications schools must be willing to recreate themselves if they are to succeed in playing their vital roles as news creators and innovators. Some leading schools are doing this but most are not.”

The statement says that Arizona State University has developed the “teaching hospital” form of journalism education to become one of the state’s leading news providers.

Meanwhile, in Australia the Public Interest Journalism Foundation’s Bill Birnbauer is helping to develop such new models for journalism education and practice.

Birnbauer, a senior lecturer at Monash University, has been working with journalism students on this ongoing project, ‘Dangerous Ground’.

Recent stories added to the site include:

• A survey of the waste discharge records of 361 Victorian companies and councils has found that half breached the licence conditions imposed on them by the Environment Protection Authority.

•  A lack of coordination between the Environment Protection Authority, WorkSafe Victoria and local government has raised questions about the handling of public health incidents arising from potential exposure to asbestos fibres.

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Experimenting in the ACT

Crikey is collaborating with University of Canberra journalism students in providing blog reports on the ACT election.

According to the website,

“Next ACT is an experiment at several levels: in journalism education, in political and election reportage, and in editorial oversight and the organisational structure of the media.

Students and staff of two units from the University of Canberra Journalism course, plus a number of students enrolled in the Sports Media program, will produce content for the blog. Audio and video content will be produced by the students of Advanced Broadcast unit, while written copy, still images and other assorted multimedia elements shall be produced by the students of the Online News unit. The reportage will be ‘real’; it won’t just be an assessment item. Many students are already published journalists, but for some this will be the first time they are presented with a clear and distinct opportunity for real publication. They will learn about the cut and thrust of media reporting and the sometimes shockingly uncivil world of online news.”

The project welcomes guest contributions.

• Please let us know of other examples of innovation in journalism education and practice that we can feature on the Public Interest Journalism Foundation website.