Should journalism education embrace algorithm-driven distribution?

What is it about?

Small publications, including the publishers of student journalism, are adapting to a media landscape dominated by algorithm-driven distribution systems. This paper explores the new demands and ways that student journalism can continue to survive.

Featured Image

Photo by Tyler Franta on Unsplash

Photo by Tyler Franta on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Writing for publication is a feature of most tertiary journalism programs, but as the industry increasingly adapts to algorithm-driven distribution two issues are emerging. The first is that familiarity with Search Engine and Social Media Optimisation techniques are becoming attractive attributes in terms of employment, and secondly that publications featuring student journalism need to be across the challenges of finding, maintaining and building online audiences, in order to serve their stated functions of showcasing student work and contributing to media diversity.