View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

SoE survey to examine state of journalism training

By Andrew Pugh

The Society of Editors has launched a new survey to examine how journalism training has changed following the rise in digital technologies and increased scrutiny of the industry.

The research is part of a policy review for of the SoE’s training committee, which believes that while a ‘career in journalism has never been so appealing’the commercial pressures on the regional press – ‘traditionally the first port of call for journalism recruits’– means it has ‘never been so competitive”.

The research seeks to answer questions like: ‘Does accreditation matter? What do employers want to see in trainee reporters? Is 100wpm shorthand essential in seeking employment? Now more than ever is the industry set to change. Is there a need for ongoing training?”

SoE board member and Sky News associate editor Simon Bucks, who chairs the society’s training committee, said: ‘By surveying trainees, trainers and editors, we hope to gather a picture of every aspect of training across the board.

‘From the qualifications to employment; we believe the results will provide a clearer picture of what skills are essential to prosper and flourish. As with anything – there’s always room for improvement.

‘In collating the results trainees will hear from industry experts exactly what they are looking for when you walk through that door, accreditors can consider how flexible trainers consider their syllabus to be and editors will be provided with an overview of what differing institutes have to offer.

‘With the Leveson Inquiry coming to a climax there has never been a more important time for the industry to demonstrate its commitment to high standards in journalism and those standards depend on top quality, precisely targeted training.”

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

All submissions will remain confidential. The results will be announced at the SoE’s annual conference in Belfast on 11-13 November and published at www.societyofeditors.org.

Click here for more details

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network