Diploma

For a time there was a Diploma of Journalism course available which consisted of five arts units with the addition of two units on the Theory and Practice of Journalism. There was little in these practical units that could not have been learned by joining a good newspaper office as a cadet reporter.

The Press could set up a national scheme, but this would be expensive. The Universities have shown little interest in making a new improved diploma or postgraduate course available.

The Press as a profession is interested in such a course but it is so hard to obtain sufficient staff that they cannot even set a minimum educational standard such as University Entrance. A provincial editor informs me that it is hard enough to obtain staff without imposing such a standard, however desirable that standard may be. It is, then, a matter of being satisfied with an uninspired coverage of events, as an alternative to a few good reports without a complete general coverage.

It has been suggested by Mr. Cleveland that there is a bias against women as journalists. A temporary solution to the staff problem could be to accept more women journalists. There is no reason why women should not make just as good journalists as men do.