The Society of Editors has launched a new survey to examine how journalism training has changed following the rise in digital technologies and increased scrutiny of the industry.
The research is part of a policy review for of the SoE’s training committee, which believes that while a ‘career in journalism has never been so appealing’the commercial pressures on the regional press – ‘traditionally the first port of call for journalism recruits’– means it has ‘never been so competitive”.
The research seeks to answer questions like: ‘Does accreditation matter? What do employers want to see in trainee reporters? Is 100wpm shorthand essential in seeking employment? Now more than ever is the industry set to change. Is there a need for ongoing training?”
SoE board member and Sky News associate editor Simon Bucks, who chairs the society’s training committee, said: ‘By surveying trainees, trainers and editors, we hope to gather a picture of every aspect of training across the board.
‘From the qualifications to employment; we believe the results will provide a clearer picture of what skills are essential to prosper and flourish. As with anything – there’s always room for improvement.
‘In collating the results trainees will hear from industry experts exactly what they are looking for when you walk through that door, accreditors can consider how flexible trainers consider their syllabus to be and editors will be provided with an overview of what differing institutes have to offer.
‘With the Leveson Inquiry coming to a climax there has never been a more important time for the industry to demonstrate its commitment to high standards in journalism and those standards depend on top quality, precisely targeted training.”
All submissions will remain confidential. The results will be announced at the SoE’s annual conference in Belfast on 11-13 November and published at www.societyofeditors.org.
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