A two-nation Asian phenomenological study: Roles and purposes of graduate journalism education through the lens of global journalism

Abstract

This phenomenological study sought to describe the essence of the roles and purposes of graduate journalism education through the eyes of 16 Asian students from three graduate journalism schools in Japan and the Philippines. This article is anchored in the theory of reflective practice. Responses of students produced a Bridge of Traits of Graduate Journalism Education that illustrates these roles and purposes of graduate studies. This Bridge of Traits also entered into the theory-and-practice discussions, not to mention that this bridge represents respondents’ efforts to connect their personal, academic and professional milieus and aspirations as journalists. Making these connections is done within the realm of journalism’s theory-practice continuum, which, as respondents surprisingly articulated, is important, complementary and applicable. Respondents’ views offer hope that university-based journalism programmes can run viable graduate journalism programmes implementing several elements in pedagogy and substance that espouse a spirit of critical reflective practice in journalists. They aspire to new perspectives and approaches in the teaching, study and practice of journalism.