Journalism schools need to change

Eric Newton, senior adviser to the president of America's Knight Foundation, has written an article for the Nieman Foundation's website arguing that journalism schools in America need to change.

"Universities must be willing to destroy and recreate themselves to be part of the future of news," Newton wrote.  "Schools that won’t change risk becoming irrelevant."

Newton argued that journalism and communication schools must embrace constant change and innovation.

It would be interesting to ask the question of Hong Kong and China's journalism schools. Have they modified their curricula to accommodate the changes brought about by digital technology and changing society? A look at their web sites suggests the answer is generally no. Many Chinese journalism schools are mired in traditional practices. Too many employ teachers who have never worked as journalists, thinking that PhDs from international schools make up for lack of experience.