Broadcast Education: Fighting the Trade School Image.

Overview & Synopsis

A number of misconceptions exist concerning broadcast education. Professional broadcasters often complain that broadcast students receive too little "hands-on" training, while academicians decry current broadcasting programs which do not challenge the students intellectually. In addition, broadcast students have their own set of expectations based on the view that college education is primarily a training ground for gainful employment. Most broadcast educators realize that, in the midst of the information age, students of mass communication must not only acquire a broad liberal arts education but must also be exposed to the cultures, politics, and problems facing other nations. Only those media students who clearly understand and appreciate the enormous power and influence of the mass media can succeed in becoming responsible producers, directors, reporters, writers, announcers or performers. A recent national survey of broadcast education programs indicated that most are carefully designed to offer students a balanced practical and theoretical experience. The "trade-school image" of broadcast education is simply an unfortunate misconception. (RS)