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University and Channel 4 launch investigative journalism degree

dmu-logo-200-80A university has teamed up with Channel 4 to launched a new degree in investigative journalism.

The MA course, which has been endorsed and developed by Channel 4 and will cover areas including techniques of in-depth research, handling complex data, understanding financial information and working undercover, is set to be offered by De Montfort University from September.

Other parts of the course will focus on using freedom of information, the law, compliance and safety, filming and editing, while students will also learn how to identify, pitch, research and film investigative stories.

The course, based in Leicester, is being aimed at established professionals who wish to develop their skill set or change careers, as well as students progressing from undergraduate study.

Dorothy Byrne, head of Channel 4 News and current Affairs and visiting professor in media discourse at DMU, said: “Channel 4 is committed to training the next generation of investigative journalists. Our current Investigative Journalism Training Scheme provides training in investigative skills to working television journalists with more experience.

“This collaboration with DMU takes our commitment a stage further providing a very high quality MA with teaching provided by professionals who are themselves television journalists of the highest calibre.

“It’s vital for the future of investigative television journalism that we train up a new generation and widen the pool of talent to include people from diverse backgrounds. Quite a number of people have general television making skills, but lack the sort of specialist knowledge required.”

Andy Collop, deputy vice chancellor of DMU, added: “This is an excellent opportunity for the Leicester Media School at De Montfort University to work with Channel 4, which has an outstanding and award-winning track record in investigative journalism across their news and current affairs output.

“DMU has a superb history of nurturing and developing talented journalists through its NCTJ-accredited Leicester Centre for Journalism and we are excited to work with Channel 4, which has an outstanding and award-winning track record in investigative journalism across its news and current affairs.”

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  • March 2, 2016 at 11:13 am
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    Far left leanings and a subscription to Socialist Worker optional, I hope, but I’m not holding my breath.

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  • March 2, 2016 at 4:28 pm
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    Isn’t all journalism ‘investigative’ by definition or have things changed since I worked in the business?

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