The Society of Editors has written to the Department for Education raising serious concerns about recent guidance instructing the Office for Students to de-prioritise high-cost subject funding away from media and journalism courses.

The decision, set out in government guidance by the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson last month, means that funding given to providers to help with the costs of supporting disadvantaged students should no longer be used to support students on journalism courses but should, instead, be used to assist those studying STEM courses. 

Writing to the Education Secretary, the Society warned that not only was the decision likely to have a devastating impact on the ability of those from under-represented backgrounds and communities to pursue a career in journalism, but it also risked undermining the value that the government said it placed on the news industry. 

Dawn Alford, Executive Director of the Society said: “High quality journalism education not only equips future reporters with the skills required to carry out this essential public service but high-cost subject funding has historically provided essential support to those for whom a career in journalism would otherwise be out of reach. 

“At a time when the traditional route into journalism through the regional and local news industry is facing significant challenges, the decision to reprioritise funding used to support and encourage journalists into the industry from under-represented backgrounds and communities is deeply concerning.

“A vibrant and diverse media sector is the cornerstone of our democracy and enriches coverage and we urge the Department for Education to reconsider this guidance which not only sends a worrying signal as to the value the government places on journalism and verifiable news and information but also risks fatally undermining the sincerity of comments made by the Prime Minister and Culture Secretary over recent months.”

The full letter can be read here.