Journalism students need business brains

Professor Mel Bunce, head of the journalism department, wants to introduce more entrepreneurial modules to prepare students for careers as freelancers, entrepreneurs and business owners.

The journalism department hopes to partner with Bayes Business School to launch a new “freelance” module.

Professor Bunce said: “The big picture is that we want to teach multimedia modules across pathways, so if a student is interested in something that Financial Journalism or Broadcast does, then they can do that.”

Students will be able to develop their business skills with this new approach, according to Professor Bunce, who wants to introduce innovative concepts like developing news and media products.

Professor Bunce said: “Having the business skills and knowledge to set up as entrepreneurs is crucial in journalism.”

She added: “Alongside traditional skills, we have trained our students for big organisations. Now, many of them are self-employed. They’re becoming transformative thinkers and we want to encourage that.”

Visiting lecturer, Julian Linley, also believes that modules such as the Business of Media, (taught on the Magazine MA), are what gives students the chance to develop their entrepreneurial skills.

Mr Linley works with students while they research, create and develop business ideas for the modern media.

Examples this year include Spark, a dating magazine, and The Changing Room, a platform covering women’s sports. Both were presented to industry experts, allowing students to network while developing their presenting skills.

Mr Linley also encourages students to develop their knowledge of social media such as TikTok and Instagram.”

He said: “Modern media is more of a democracy nowadays. It gives journalists the tools they need to build their brands, outside of traditional publishing.

“It’s important to teach the fundamentals of building a media business to anyone interested in becoming a journalist or creator.”

Chloé Williamson