Monash Journalism: Objectives of the course

The objectives of the Monash Journalism program are, firstly, to enable students to understand what a journalist does in the world. Then secondly, the aim is to make it possible for students to go out and perform as journalists through researching and reporting on stories and then being able to present them in their chosen medium. Thirdly, it’s to ensure that the stories, no matter what the medium in which they are presented, are interesting, stimulating and informative. The journalism program at Monash integrates all media. Right from first year students are working across video, radio, print and online.

The course is founded deeply in the principle of the public right to know. Journalists do not work as part of a client advocacy system no matter how worthy a client’s arguments might be. It is imperative that students achieve a thorough understanding of both the ethical and the legal obligations of journalists, including student journalists. 

Students need to be able to work both independently as professionals but also they need to be able to work as part of a team, because journalism is always a team process. They need to be able to work under the extreme pressure of deadlines, but also be sensitive to the social relations in any particular set of circumstances. They need to be able to read the dynamics of the situation they’re operating within and operate professionally and also safely and securely for themselves and others.

They’ve got to be able to understand that journalism is an integral part of a very big world – even if they’re just doing a local story: once the story is out there in the media its ramifications can spread wide and deep, both for the individuals concerned but also in the wider society. So journalists have to be able to think big. They have to be able to read and interpret their own activities and the activities of others on a large canvas. So they need to know about the changing role of the media in society, the power the media exercises and the power exercised against the media. 

Journalism is a very exciting way of operating right at the cutting edge of what’s happening in society and the community. It is important that students experience that excitement, but also understand it in a large international framework and be able to work professionally and effectively, ethically and accountably.