Lynette Simons, Special Broadcasting Services Radio, Sydney
Abstract
Is a tertiary qualification in journalism sufficient to equip graduates with all the skills they need on the job? Opinions vary. Undisputed, however, is that new recruits to journalism need to have a clear understanding of the philosophical approaches and practical expectations of their employer.
At SBS Radio (www.sbs.com.au) workplace training is an essential requirement for on-air staff but a degree in journalism or communications is an enormous advantage. University graduates, especially those with degrees in journalism, are generally the most responsive students we have. By the time they join us they have already grappled with a range of theories on the power and privilege of the media; are comfortable with the latest postmodernist discourse on news reporting; have written an essay or two on broadcast law and are technologically sophisticated. They are the first broadcaster/journalists (BJs) to roll up to inhouse training workshops, the first to answer the questions and the first to enter any debate. As trainers, our task is to introduce them to their work requirements, their workstations, the studios, the resource centre, the equipment, the software, the SBS culture and the SBS vision.
|
