Why Journalism? Why University?

BY Sophie Loader

Journalism provides an individual with the power to express opinions on fact through written word, and is completely unique in this ability, which is why it is proving a popular choice for young people as a degree at university.

But what’s the point in studying journalism at university? Some may say that with the current decline in newspaper sales, journalism is a dying profession. This couldn’t be a more ridiculous opinion. There may be a decline in print newspapers, but the 21^st century generation is more obsessed now with sharing their opinions and views than ever before. Look at the boom of blogging, the revolution of social media, and ever increasing interest in current affairs, combined with advances in technology. Journalism is everywhere. And journalism is needed everywhere. Therefore we need qualified journalists, who need a degree.

There are now 89 universities in the UK providing a course in journalism, whether that be for multimedia, broadcast or print and with the ever developing world of media and technology, journalism is becoming a part of life that feeds into everything, and one we cannot ignore.  It is a profession requiring an individual to build a multitude of skills, and due to this university requirements are getting more and more prestigious as time goes on. Some universities such as City University London now require three A grade subjects at A Level in order to study the course and it could be argued that getting into journalism as a career would be virtually impossible without a degree. University lecturers say that “due to the fact the field of journalism has grown in the amount of competition and how popular a career path it is, people do not tend to follow the strict career path from apprenticeships in small newspapers anymore and instead strive for leading roles in journalism straight away, therefore young people need something that distinguishes them from others in the field. A university degree provides this”. University will provide you with a foot into a competitive world of writers. You need to be curious, fascinated with people, what makes them tick, flexible, passionate about words and above all else, you have to love writing. After all, power of written word is the basis of all journalism.