KARACHI: The way journalism is taught at varsities both in the West and developing world is undergoing a major transformation with focus on convergence of media and practical skills in the wake of a global revolution in the media.

For journalism schools, a teaching-hospital model is a good approach to deal with the growing challenges due to the blurring lines between not only traditional and online media but also journalism and citizen journalism.

These views were shared by Dr Lawrence Pintak, the founding dean of Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, Washin­gton State University, with media trainers and educationists at a workshop organised by the Centre of Excellence in Journalism (CEJ), Institute of Busi­ness Administration, on Tuesday.

Also a member of the CEJ board of governors, Dr Pintak led a discussion on the changing trends in the era of fake news, tech minimalism, personal brands, blogging, advocacy, ‘clickbait’ and sensationalism and highlighted the need to prepare politically and socially aware, professionally skilled, ethically grounded, and media and digitally literate students.

New curricula were being developed by the UN and universities across the world, he said, while announcing that the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan has lately approved the new curriculum designed for MS in journalism that the CEJ-IBA is going to offer.

He said HEC chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed in a recent conversation with him had shown his willingness to reform journalism education in Pakistan and said that the new curriculum designed for MS in journalism that encompasses practical training should be available to other universities as well to adopt.

However, one of the academicians attending the workshop said that any proposals suggested by public-sector universities which involved funds had never been welcomed by the HEC in the past. Instead such recommendations by public-sector varsities were sometimes considered a violation of the HEC guidelines, she said.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...