University of Arkansas adapts journalism course to industry trends

The University of Arkansas (UA) School of Journalism & Strategic Media is experiencing a surge in student enrolment as interest in journalism education remains robust despite the industry’s challenges, particularly after Arkansas State University (ASU) discontinued its multimedia journalism programme last spring. Bret Schulte, the school’s director, said that while this change may not have directly influenced UA’s rising numbers, it underscores the need for sustained journalism training.

“Every time we lose a journalism training ground, we lose a little journalism,” said Schulte. “We need it in every corner of the state.”

Reflecting on the current state of the journalism industry, Schulte highlighted significant job losses, indicating that the total number of newsroom employees has diminished sharply since 2008, when there were about 114,000 positions. By 2020, that figure plummeted by 30,000, according to Pew Research Centre data, and ongoing trends suggest little improvement.

The challenges of entering the journalism field are compounded by low starting salaries and a lack of perceived advancement opportunities. Schulte remarked that entry-level positions often offer salaries between £30,000 and £40,000. “I don’t know anybody who can support themselves on £30,000 a year,” he said. These factors lead many students, despite majoring in journalism, to consider alternative career paths, particularly in public relations and other communication roles.

About 940 students are enrolled in the UA’s two degree programmes, journalism and advertising/public relations, with around 60% pursuing the latter. Journalism students can specialise in three concentrations: multimedia storytelling, broadcast news, and traditional journalism, with multimedia storytelling currently seeing the most growth. Schulte asserted that graduates find ample opportunities, although they frequently must seek roles outside traditional journalism.

Schulte emphasised that the skill set acquired through journalism training, such as information retrieval, prioritisation and effective communication, is highly valued across multiple sectors beyond traditional newsrooms. “We’re still in an information economy, and this is not changing anytime soon,” he said.

To address the changing needs of the media landscape, UA has incorporated a media literacy component into its curriculum. Schulte highlighted the introduction of an ethics course and the recent overhaul of a required course titled “Media in Society” to focus more on media literacy. This adjustment is designed to equip students with critical skills necessary for navigating information in the digital age, recognising biases and evaluating the reliability of sources.

The programme is adapting to technological advancements, including artificial intelligence. UA has recently introduced an AI course led by Dr Ginger Blackstone, focusing on the implications of AI within the journalism profession. Schulte advocated for the use of AI as a journalistic tool, stressing the importance of guiding students in its ethical application while retaining their analytical capabilities. “If we don’t use AI, it’s going to replace us,” he warned.

Looking to the future, Schulte noted the necessity for journalists to assert the relevance of their work. He remarked, “Professional journalism is crucial in maintaining democracy, and journalists need to stand up for their industry.” In this context, the ability to critically assess and present information remains a fundamental trait that UA aims to cultivate in its students, equipping them for an evolving media landscape.

Source: Noah Wire Services