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Rhodes University School of Journalism and Media Studies

The School of Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) at Rhodes University is considered to be one of the best journalism schools in South Africa.[1] It is one of four journalism schools in South Africa designated by UNESCO as centers of excellence in journalism education.[2]

Founded at the urging of Guy Butler (poet), it is the oldest journalism school on the continent of Africa.[3] Originally part of the English Department, of which Butler was Head, Journalism became an independent department in 1972. Anthony "Tony" Giffard was the first Head of the department.

Les Switzer, a lecturer in the department since 1972, was appointed as Acting Head in 1975. At that time, "Media Studies” was added to the department's name.[4]

Africa Media Matrix

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Construction of the Africa Media Matrix, completed in 2006, cost R26-million. The project began in 2001 with a grant from the Ford Foundation. The three-story AMM building is a renovation of and addition onto the WWII-era Leather Industries Research Institute building.[5] The creative interior design of the AMM delights and inspires visitors who are accustomed to more utilitarian j-school buildings.[6]

The AMM is home to JMS staff offices, classrooms, several student computer labs, and the editorial offices of Grocott's Mail, a weekly newspaper owned by the David Rabkin Project for Experiential Journalism Training (a company of which Rhodes University is the sole shareholder).[7]

Initiatives

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The school is the home of Highway Africa, the continent's largest annual conference for professional journalists.

The Rhodes Journalism Review, published annually since 1991, is a magazine for journalists with articles written by journalists, media experts, academics, researchers, and others. It is edited, designed and produced by the journalism school.


References

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  1. ^ "The best journalism schools in SA" Mail & Guardian, Oct. 16, 2007
  2. ^ "UNESCO meets with South African journalism schools at Fort Hare" UNESCO, Oct. 12, 2010
  3. ^ History, School of Journalism and Media Studies
  4. ^ Interview with Les Switzer, May 27, 2008.
  5. ^ Africa Media Matrix
  6. ^ When the Media Gives You the Shits, Turn to the AMM for Inspiration, Julie Posetti, June 28, 2008.
  7. ^ About Us, Grocott's Mail
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