Mia Moody on Journalism Departments and Education

OurBlook interview with Mia Moody, journalism professor at Baylor University

How are journalism departments adapting to the new media landscape?

MM: We are working hard to make sure we stay ahead of the curve. We are listening to students more and our teaching styles have become vertical rather than top-down. In many instances, students are able to help us stay abreast with new technologies.
However, we are careful not to remove the basics from our courses. We still teach the importance of conciseness, news values, ethics and fair and balanced reporting.

What are some of the major changes that are being implemented?

MM: The biggest change we've made is renaming our department, the "Department of Journalism and Media Arts" earlier this year. We are also revamping courses, making them more inclusive of new media skills.
Most importantly, we are doing our research to find out how the future job market might look. We talk to employers and graduates to find out what is expected and the types of positions that available in our field.

What are some of the challenges that journalism departments are currently facing?

MM: The biggest challenge is not being able to predict the future or stay one step ahead of students as we have previously. We are preparing students for a profession that may not be around in ten years. We are also adjusting to new ways that students communicate and learn. Most students are accustomed to texting, surfing and chatting much of the day. Going to class is an inconvenience to some of them.

What are the most important skills that journalism grads need?

MM: In a nutshell, all journalism majors should be able to perform "new media" skills at a professional standard. "New media" skills include digital photography, desktop publishing, and online proficiency. However, we encourage good writing skills first and foremost. We also emphasize the importance of being willing to learn new things. The journalism field is ever-changing. The recent growth in social networking is one example of how the field changes very rapidly.
When I was a cub reporter 20 years ago, I was expected to be a good writer/reporter aware of current events with dependable transportation. Nowadays, this is not enough to get your foot in the door. Journalists must know how to write, shoot photos, edit layouts, and design flash Web pages among other things. It is overwhelming when you think about it. However, each generation adjusts to its environment and the expectations placed upon it to succeed.

Journalists are having a hard time adapting the new media landscape. How are journalism professors fairing?

MM: Professors are in the same boat. We are dumbfounded at how rapidly the industry is changing.
Most professors I know are researching, going to conferences and talking to other professionals in the field to figure out the best way to handle the future. In addition, we are in contact with employees about what they want in graduates.
We also talk to graduates about the types of jobs they are getting and the types of skills employers expect. It is challenging, but it is also exciting. I have seen the field change rapidly in a matter of five years. This is something I may never see again in my lifetime.

Is there a shortage of professors who can teach these new skills?

MM: Not at our university. However, I have noticed an increase in the number of job postings for professors skilled in new media concepts. Social media have rapidly changed the way we live, communicate and connect. Unfortunately, many professors have not been as quick to modify their courses to reflect these vast changes. The difficulty in making this shift is professors must adjust their courses without compromising core curriculum. Professors most change with the times.

What advice would you give current journalism professors who may be a hard time adapting?

MM: Do not teach in a top-down format. Professors who foster a give-and-take environment will enjoy more success. I encourage a free-flow of information in which everybody talks and everybody shares. The most successful new media courses are collaborative rather than top-down. Students often know more about new media than faculty. I also encourage professors to ask for suggestions and ideas about new media. My students have suggested many helpful Web sites. I, in turn, pass this information on to other students.

Is the culture of journalism being damaged during the transition?

MM: Everything about journalism is changing: the way it is produced, distributed, and consumed. These factors have definitely changed the culture of journalism. People usually trust articles in reputable newspapers. However, it's hard to tell who's credible with online sources. Consumers wrestle with the idea of who is a trusted news provider.
In addition, students have more temptations to plagiarize nowadays. Most of them begin every research project with a Wikipedia search, which I don't have a problem with as long as their paper consists of traditional scholarly sources. I have not seen an increase in plagiarism, but that is not to say that it is not happening.
In addition, writing processes have changed. Students no longer plan research papers before they begin writing. Thanks to word processors, they usually edit as they go along. As a result, they don't know how to create an outline or organize their papers before they begin writing. This is a travesty. Planning is an important part of any process.

Are there an examples of projects or programs that are really helping students balance journalism integrity and new media skills?

MM: Standards for our courses include producing truthful, balanced, objective reporting free of inaccuracy that recognizes news values. All students are encouraged to tell the truth but also become proficient in advocating ethically. In addition, journalism majors must recognize news, which often transcend to new media.
Hands-on instruction is very important in our department. Professors not only teach theory, they share what they have done in the world. Our program uses a combination of teaching formats including lecture, seminar and lab instruction. Students are encouraged to make presentations and contribute to their learning experience.

Taking into account the current state of journalism programs, what effect will it have on the industry? What will the industry look like in 10 years?

MM: The journalism field will be more social & entrepreneurial in the future. Students will have to be creative, innovative and self-motivated.
To prepare for this unsettling environment, we encourage our students to have a good resume that stands out from others. We also encourage them to have multiple internships. We require them to produce service-learning projects with clients to produce useable material and to publish their work when appropriate or at least produce publishable work.

Anything else you want to add...

MM: Be prepared to work hard in this field, but be prepared to be rewarded. Boredom is not usually a concern. Every day is different. A journalism career has the potential to be very rewarding. The good news is, there is room for growth in the future.

(Mia Moody has more than 20 years of journalism experience. She worked as a general assignment reporter, staff writer, columnist, managing editor, blogger and publisher before becoming an assistant professor of journalism at Baylor University in 2001. She received degrees from Texas A&M University, Baylor University and the University of Texas, Austin.)