Exhibit JC42 - The Leveson Inquiry

For Distribution to CPsAppendicesAppendix XXXVIIIJournalism at the University. Report by Tom Clarke 3 rd September 1938There is an increasing demand for newspaper work of a higher quality. Thepapers want it because the public want it.This is the justification for the new step taken by the London University inbringing their curriculum for the Journalism Diploma abreast of modern newspaperrequirements and for re-organising the practical side.In the light of modem world tendencies, education for journalism is surely anessential public service in which there should be close and effective cooperationbetween the newspapers and the universities.Especially so because of the way public discrimination and intelligence hasbroadened.In the new world that lies ahead I do not see the influence or usefulness of thePress being diminished very much, if at all, by the newer ways of disseminatinginformation by radio or film.They will, of course, make things more competitive; and it will be all the morenecessary to maintain, and improve, the intellectual qualifications and practicalfitness of the working journalist.Thus I look on journalism as a growing profession. Despite temporary setbacksin other countries I believe it is going to augment its importance as an essentialfactor in the social life. I am thinking of world as well as domestic affairs.In that development the Press needs the cooperation of the universities.London University has shown great public spirit in giving a lead by polishing upthe curriculum in keeping with the needs of the day and by recognising the needfor re-organising the practical journalism studies.What does the journalist beginner of the future need?First, a sound liberal education. Whatever reorganisation takes place there canbe no reduction of the present academic standard, which aims at the minimumintellectual training calculated to promote professional efficiency.The journalism course includes such compulsory subjects as:- EnglishComposition, The Principles of Criticism, Social and Economic Structure ofToday, History of the Modem World from 1789, Modem English Literature from1850. There is also choice of one of other subjects - English Literature, A ModemLanguage, Philosophy and Psychology, or History of Art.Secondly, enough pounding in of the elementary practice of journalism to fithim for the earlier stages of work in a newspaper office.That is my job. Aim will be to make this a newspaperman’s school ofjournalism.It is said that the best newspaper university is the newspaper itself. But morepeople are coming in and the complicated processes of newspaper productiontoday make it more difficult than ever for all but a select few to gain sound trainingin the fundamentals. News editors have not time. The catch-as-can methods ofpicking up practical knowledge are a reflection on the newspaper industry. The evilresults are often apparent in some of our newspapers.Some people say these elementary things cannot be taught outside a newspaperoffice. Opinion is divided. As a former News Editor and Editor I believe they can.The instruction a news editor gives a reporter can be given as well in a universityas in an office.292MOD100051463