The Department of Journalism, Film and Television at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) has joined, and is now a member University of the ground-breaking media platform, The Journalist.

“The Journalist provides our faculty staff and students with a platform for knowledge and information exchange, in and between the media industry, journalism practitioners and journalism schools nationally, as well as internationally,” said Prof Ylva Rodny-Gumede, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Journalism, Film and Television, UJ. “We are delighted to be a member University.”

UJ joins founding university, University of the Free State (UFS), and both institutions will continue their efforts to seek ways to incorporate the substantial story of South African journalism into the curricula.

Launched in August 2014, The Journalist media project provides history and context for key issues facing South African journalists, drawing the stories of neglected journalism pioneers into the public eye.

“It has in a very short span of time established itself as the leading forum for innovation in journalism and the exchange of ideas and research, often falling outside of the mainstream news media,” continued Prof Rodny-Gumede.

The site will also work to serve as a knowledge bank for experienced journalist to provide historical perspective of key South African and African issues. Through cooperation with the All Africa Editors’ Forum, efforts are being made to link up with universities on the continent so that they too can add the stories of their great pioneers.