Abstract
This article examines the identity of journalism education as situated between the press and the university, arguing that its position on the margins of both institutions should be valued rather than lamented. It traces the historical evolution of journalism, noting how early practitioners combined broad cultural and civic engagement with professional work, while later developments emphasized specialization, efficiency, and standardization. The discussion critiques journalism education for aligning too closely with industrial models of news production and for failing to articulate a broader intellectual role. It proposes that journalism educators embrace their dual position, combining scholarly insight with public communication to enrich both fields. The article concludes that by maintaining distance from institutional conformity while engaging at the borders, journalism education can model good journalism and sustain a vital role in public discourse.
Recommended Citation
Birkhead, Douglas
(1988)
"On the Margins: Journalism and Journalism Education,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 64, Article 5.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol64/iss1/5
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