Centre for journalism excellence a Proud South African institution

"Through its roles as a questioner of government, reporter of unbiased comment and investigator of business, the media delivers the issues to the people, giving them the power to force change as they see fit," says Professor Lizette Rabe, head of the Department.

"An informed community is an empowered community, and that is one of our biggest roles in the media. By joining the Proudly South African campaign the Department not only acknowledges the huge responsibility of the media, but also in instilling these values in our students who will in future enter the profession," she says.

"We are a proudly South African educator and trainer of a new generation of journalists for a new South Africa – we believe in South Africa's and Africa's renaissance, and are responsible for developing media professionals capable of empowering the nation and continent through informative and accurate information."

Martin Feinstein, chairman of the Proudly South African campaign, agrees: "A well-trained and objective media is crucial for any democracy. The Department's member status shows our confidence in the training the next generation of journalists is receiving, instilling in them the qualities of responsibility, loyalty, integrity and accuracy that an independent media demands".

Rabe quotes the father of modern journalism, Joseph Pulitzer, who once said: "Our Republic and its press will rise or fall together. An able, disinterested, public-spirited press, with trained intelligence to know the right and courage to do it, can preserve that public virtue without which popular government is a sham and a mockery. The power to mould the future of the republic will be in the hands of the journalists of future generations".

Although the esteemed man made this comment in 1904 it still holds true today, especially in a 'fledgling' democracy such as ours says Professor Rabe. The Department, now in its 25th year, is the only specialised post-graduate school of journalism in South Africa, modelled after the world famous Graduate School of Journalism at the Columbia University in New York. The school offers entry-level courses on an honours level for those interested in a journalism career to a masters and doctorate programme for those professionals who want a more in-depth academic programme.

Says Rabe: "The course creates a balance between practical journalism skills and exposing students to the ethical, technological, sociological, marketing, managerial and historical basis of the media."

An illustration of the high regard in which the Department is held is the fact that it has been identified by the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) as one of three 'centres of excellence' in terms of media training in the country.

The Department has trained over 600 multi-skilled, professional journalists in its 25 years, including, amongst many others; Irna van Zyl (director of New Media); Tim du Plessis (editor of Rapport); Marita van der Vyver (well-known Afrikaans author); Michélle Alexander (Carte Blanche); Andrea Vinassa (assistant-editor of the Cape Argus); and all the winners of the 2002 Vodacom Journalist of the Year award: Melanie Gosling, Willemien Brümmer and Christopher Motabogi.

About Proudly South African

Association Incorporated Not For Gain (Reg. No. 2001/021636/08)

Proudly South African is an exciting campaign to promote South African companies, products and services, which are helping to create jobs and economic growth in our country. Proudly South African is an initiative of the National Economic and Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) and is supported by organised business, organised labour, government and the community.

Chairman of the campaign is well-known broadcaster, journalist and media personality, Tim Modise.

For more information please visit www.proudlysa.co.za.