Fourth-year Rhodes University new media students Guy Martin and Kathryn McConnachie have won the ITWeb Journalism Bursary for 2010.
Fourth-year Rhodes University new media students Guy Martin and Kathryn McConnachie have won the ITWeb Journalism Bursary for 2010.
The bursary includes full payment of their tuition fees for this year and a one year employment contract at ITWeb as new media journalists.
Candidates had to submit an application and then had an interview with ITWeb’s editorial director Ranka Jovanovic.
They then had to interview Jovanovic and write an article using the information from the interview. ITWeb, a business technology company, launched the bursary programme in 2009 to enable talented journalism students to gain experience and training in the online media environment.
ITWeb’s editorial director Ranka Jovanovic says, “The media environment is at a crossroads, while the traditional media players are experimenting with charging for online content to stop the erosion of subscribers, professional online-only media players face competition from bloggers and other new entrants into the web and mobile media space.
As most newsrooms are shrinking, ITWeb believes in investing in fresh new talent that combines excellent journalism skills with a clear understanding of new media trends.”
Martin and McConnachie were notified in January that they had received the bursary. McConnachie said, “It’s a great opportunity to get my foot in the door in terms of becoming a new media practitioner.
“I’m hoping to be able to find my feet in the industry next year and gain some valuable experience.” McConnachie, who has lived in Grahamstown for most of her life, will be moving to Johannesburg to take up the job.
She said, “It’s going to take some getting used to, but I think it’s a necessary change in terms of pursuing my goals and starting my career.”
Martin believes that his experience with new media and digital journalism set him apart from the other candidates, “I set up my first website in 2006, my second in 2007 and managed the Rhodes Rifle Club’s website for two years.
“Because of my hands on experience and interest in online media I was given a head start over the other candidates.” He said, “It will be great to have work experience with a well-established company. “Having a job during the recession, and especially a job in the media industry, is a privilege.”
