Durban University of Technology Journalism Department
Journalism
Secretary: Ms L P Ntombela
Tel: 031 373 6614
Fax: 031 373 6623
Location: City Campus L1 R130
http://journalismiziko.dut.ac.za/
Description of the Programme
A journalist gathers, processes and presents news and current affairs material in the public interest for broad audience consumption. Media channels include radio, television, online, newspapers and magazines in beats such as Africa, arts, business, courts and crime, culture, health, human rights, fashion, labour, politics, sport, technology, travel and tourism. Editorial positions offer exciting career development potential. Freelance journalists can enjoy greater flexibility in their work.
Personal Qualities Required
The following skills and values are essential to good journalism:
Excellent English language skills, both spoken and written. Journalists who are fluent in more than one language enjoy greatly improved working opportunities. Journalists require a strong work ethic and should be committed to the constitutional principles of freedom of expression. Highly literate with strong analytical skills. A street-wise sense about social behaviours. Good general knowledge. Good memory. Punctuality.
The successful journalist is also responsible, adaptable, self-disciplined, inquisitive and enthusiastically interested in people and events. Those who want to become editors should also have commercial instinct and leadership skills and will need to pursue the B.Tech: Journalism and MTech: Journalism.
Media Environment
Places of work vary from home offices to hi-tech modern media institutions like the SABC, e.tv, Al-Jazeera, CNN and BBC. Whether you freelance or head up a media empire, work-hours are irregular and long – they often include nights, weekends and public holidays. You will quickly be expected to source and gather your own stories. The work is highly stimulating, analytical but exhausting. Although teamwork is important, much of the work is solitary as the journalist chases the story and researches background information. Journalists are expected to travel to find the news, often at short notice, and must therefore be able to drive. Most journalists spend hours in interviews, writing and editing their stories. Starting salaries are very attractive but senior journalists and editors earn salaries that could compare with other professions.
Assessment
The system of continuous assessment is employed across all learning areas in all subjects. The emphasis is on growth and development of the student. Accordingly, there are no summative examinations as the programmes are not intended to test retentive memory.
Work-integrated Learning
Work-Integrated Learning is a compulsory component in the National Diploma: Journalism. Students are required to undergo such learning in the 2nd semester of the 3rd year of study. Inasmuch as DUT Journalism and/or the Co-operative Education Unit have an alert system to opportunities in industry, the onus is on students to secure placements.
Career Opportunities
News and feature writing for newspapers, magazines and current affairs websites provide a major source of employment. Developments in radio and television present numerous opportunities. Advertising and public relations companies are also keen to employ good writers.
Entry Requirements
National Diploma Journalism
Bachelor Technology Journalism
Candidates must be in a possession of a National Diploma: Journalism or equivalent. Those requiring an equivalent must make an application for Conferment of Status before a place can be offered.
Candidates can also apply by virtue of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Master of Technology Journalism
BTech: Journalism