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Save Quality Journalism Education


Lisa Bradley, member of the NCTJ Accreditation Board, explains why journalism education maters more than ever.


move—not only for aspiring reporters, but for the health of our democracy. At a time when disinformation is widespread and public trust in institutions is fragile, the need for well-trained, ethical journalists has never been greater. Pathways into quality journalism must be widened, not narrowed. Cuts to journalism education


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directly threaten the foundations of democratic society. Without access to rigorous, accredited training, we risk weakening the pipeline of professional journalists who are equipped to hold power to account and provide verified, ethical reporting. Journalism education teaches the skills, ethics, and resilience needed to navigate an increasingly complex media environment—whether that’s reporting from the frontline, investigating corruption, or explaining the facts in a world awash with misinformation.


he UK government’s recent decision to cut funding for journalism courses represents a deeply troubling


Te figures from the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) Journalism at Work report speak for themselves: 81% of working journalists hold a journalism qualification, with 84% reporting that their training helped them land their first job—oſten because employers required it. Moreover, 71% of diploma graduates studied at a university or a higher education institution. Removing support from this essential training sends a dangerous message about how litle we value truth, accountability, and public service journalism. Te government’s move also


contradicts its own strategies. In its Industrial Strategy and DCMS’s Local News Strategy, journalism is recognised as a growth area and essential to community life. Yet these funding cuts pull the rug out from under these very ambitions. Modern journalism courses teach more than just writing and interviewing; they equip students with skills in data analysis, digital storytelling, AI, and analytics. With 58% of journalists now working


primarily online and 56% needing new skills in emerging technologies, journalism education is not a luxury, but essential. What’s especially concerning is that this is the first time a specific academic subject has been singled out in this way. Te Education Secretary’s direction to deprioritise journalism education is more than just a funding tweak—it is a political signal that journalism, as a discipline and profession, is somehow less deserving of support. Rather than narrowing access,


we should be creating more opportunities for people from all backgrounds. In an age where facts are contested and public discourse is fractured, investing in journalism education is not optional—it’s vital. Lisa Bradley is Professor of Journalism Education at University of Sheffield.


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