Media students told journalism has never been more challenging
Media students are able to enter several categories in this year’s Midlands Media Awards – and Claire Wolfe, Head of Journalism at the University of Worcester, says the Birmingham Press Club-organised event is an excellent way of strengthening relationships at a time when journalism has never been more challenging.
Claire, pictured here with university student Conor Rees, who won the Midlands Media Student of the Year Award in 2016, said: “Entering the world of journalism has never been a more exciting or challenging prospect and here at the University of Worcester we thrive on helping students from all backgrounds to achieve their ambitions.
“Some of the critical issues facing journalism- fake news, the repositioning of the role and reputation of reporters within society and the impact of fragmented audiences- ensures that learning about how to become a journalist has never been more intriguing,” she said.
Emphasising the development of the university’s BA(Hons) journalism degree course to meet the ever-changing demands of both academia and the media industry, Claire said that expanding the course had involved the recruitment of high quality staff with strong backgrounds as working journalists, and a significant investment in resources. Facilities now included two new radio studios, a digital TV studio with a virtual set and lots of kit, including mobile devices.
A former Midlands journalist who is now a member of the National Executive of the Association for Journalism Education, Claire added: “Success in achieving a top class course has been evidenced by promoting good journalism through links with Birmingham Press Club and involvement with the annual student awards.
“We are delighted to be associated with the Birmingham Press Club and to know that many of our graduates enter employment with the media organisations in the West Midlands represented by many of the members.
“We are keen to develop this relationship as we see it as playing a pivotal role in keeping journalists networking and developing ideas to help keep the profession vibrant and up-to-date. Continuing to develop links between industry and will ensure our young people are well prepared for work and able to play a positive role as reporters at a time when good journalism was never needed more.”
Details about this year’s awards can be found by logging onto www.midlandsmediaawards.co.uk Deadline for entries is 12 August
Claire Wolfe can be contacted at c.wolfe@worc.ac.uk Tel 01905 542240