Model curricula for journalism education for developing countries ...

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APPENDIX 2
Journalism Competencies
The practice of journalism requires a wide range of competencies:
• competencies of general knowledge and intellectual ability;
• professional techniques of research, writing (and other forms of presentation),
editing, design and production;
• the ability to use the tools of journalism and to adapt to new technologies and
innovative practices;
• professional understandings, including ethics;
• knowledge of journalism’s role in society, including journalism’s history, the
organization of the news media, and laws circumscribing journalism practice; and
• knowledge of best practices in journalism.
These competencies may be grouped in many ways. One way is by identifying core
and subsidiary or dependent competencies, or assumed and learned competencies.
Another way is by the sequential process of journalism, from story idea to research
to writing, editing, design, and production, within the context of journalism ethics
and media law, in the tradition of journalism history and standards of best practice,
and within the organization of news media. Another way is hierarchically, from
minor to major media, or by level of journalism education program. Many national
and international journalism and media organziations have developed lists of
competencies. See for example the Tartu Declaration of the European Journalism
Training Association, June 26, 2006 (below and at http://www.ejta.nl/).
This document groups journalism competencies under three headings: professional
standards; journalism and society; and knowledge.
A. Professional standards
Research skills
• An ability to comprehend, analyze, synthesize and evaluate unfamiliar material
quickly.
The essence of this touchstone competency of journalism is often referred to as
“critical thinking”. It may be attained through university study in any discipline or
though direct study of a course in critical thinking. It equips journalists with the
ability to distinguish relevant from irrelevant information, to assess evidence and
argument, to detect bias, and to think independently, courageously and creatively,
questioning deeply, challenging common assumptions, making interdisciplinary
connections, and comparing perspectives, interpretations and theories.
• News judgment and a thoughtful understanding of what makes a good story and
what makes a story newsworthy.