Ms Elizabeth Hart
Lecturer in Journalism
Elizabeth Hart joined the Monash University journalism section in January 2001. She has taught professional writing and editing in Victoria and journalism in Queensland and has worked for 10 years in regional press.
Classes taught by Elizabeth include:
- Newsroom Practice and Theory
- Media Law and Ethics
- International Journalism
- News Feature Writing
Research Interests / Publications
Elizabeth Hart currently has PhD
research in progress: “The Education and Training of Victorian
Regional Press Journalists”.
Education and
training is one of the measures of professionalism in newspapers
all over the world, but the relationship between education and the
standards of journalism on regional and rural newspapers is uncertain.
The regional press is often criticised for its simplicity and lack
of professionalism, whatever its critics mean by "professionalism".
Furthermore, the regional press usually displays a reluctance to
challenge the power structures in local rural communities. For all
its successes and contributions to local communities, the regional
and rural press carries the tag of community newsletter rather than
serious journalism.
Metropolitan press openly adopts an adversarial position in relation to the diverse and extensive readership in the cities it serves, but regional press adopts a conciliatory position. The culture of the regional newsroom serves some sections of the community with favourable reporting to keep the peace and to protect a valued place in local societies. This gives the regional press its idiosyncratic character but also excuses its journalists from carrying out some of the vital functions of the fourth estate. Many factors contribute to the conservative nature of the country press. If the level and type of education of journalism students and cadets is one, then could changes in education and training lead to higher standards of journalism in regional press?
Contact Details
- Phone:
- 03 9902 6390 or 5122 6390
- Fax:
- 03 9902 6359 or 5122 6359
- Office:
- 2S218
- Email:
- Elizabeth.Hart@arts.monash.edu.au
- Address:
- Journalism Section
School of Humanities, Communications & Social Sciences
Monash University, Gippsland Campus
Northways Road,
Churchill, Victoria 3842