Journalism Durban University of Technology

Overview

Personal Qualities Required 

The following skills and values are essential for good journalism practice Excellent English language skills, both spoken and written. The Journalism program at Durban University of Technology will teach you just that. 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 streetwise 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 Bachelor of Technology: Journalism and Master of Journalism. at Durban University of Technology.

Media Environment 

Places of work vary from home offices to hi-tech modern media institutions like the SABC, East Coast Radio, Al-Jazeera, and BBC. Whether you freelance or head up a media empire, workhours 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 quite stimulating, analytical but exhausting. Although teamwork is important, much of the work is solitary as the journalist chases the story and research 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 not very attractive but senior journalists and editors earn salaries that could compare with other professions.