The National Union of Journalists has pledged more money to help
train ethnic minority journalists amid fears that increased costs will
squeeze them out of the industry.
Four female students have been
chosen for the 2005/6 academic year to benefit from George Viner
Memorial scholarships, averaging £3,500 each.
Lionel Morrison,
chair of the trustees, said: “These rising course fees are making it
even harder to attract ethnic minorities into the industry.
More still needs to be done to make journalism a career option for nonwhite and non-Oxbridge young people.
“Most
students are entering the field with large undergraduate debts and will
not be earning large salaries when they find employment. We are
condemning our trainees to a life of debt by the age of 22.”
To make a donation to the George Viner Fund, contact Debbie Smith on 020 7843 3723 or debbies@nuj.org.uk.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog