Brunel University is launching the UK's first Master’s degree in Campaigning and Journalism.
The new MA will be launched at the Frontline Club in London on July 12 with a keynote address by Clive Stafford Smith of the prisoners’ human rights organisation Reprieve.
The definition of a journalist and the face of graduate journalism training is changing radically. In recent years the line between being a campaigner or journalist has become increasingly blurred. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) like Amnesty International, Greenpeace and Global Witness are hiring investigative journalists to increase the impact of their campaigns, and campaigning organisations such as Wikileaks are using journalistic skills in order to get their messages across.
Brunel is aiming to bridge this gap by offering the first Master’s degree that combines the skills of campaigning and ethical journalism.
Course convenor and investigative journalist Paul Lashmar said: “Graduates who can campaign effectively using investigative and journalism skills are in demand. Unlike traditional journalism training course, this will cover issues such as corruption, human rights, the environment, climate change and illegal resource exploitation.”
The first cohort will begin their Master's in Campaigning and Journalism in September 2011.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Brunel University’s MA Campaigning and Journalism begins in September 2011.
The course founder and convenor, Paul Lashmar, can be contacted directly for further information, or to write a column on ethical journalism.
Email: paul.lashmar@brunel.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)7713 635079