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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

National Certificate: Journalism 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
16203  National Certificate: Journalism 
ORIGINATOR
Damelin 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
QCTO - Quality Council for Trades and Occupations  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Communication Studies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Level 4  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
To provide learners with an understanding of journalism within the contemporary market. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
NQF level 4 - with proficiency in English. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
Critical Cross-field Outcomes:

1. Identify, analyse, formulate and solve convergent and divergent problems associated with the practice of journalism creatively and effectively.
2. Develop an appropriate understanding of journalism within the changing global demographics.

Specific Outcomes:

1. Write a lead.
2. Write a one subject story and a multiple element story.
3. Design, develop and execute and interview.
4. Ensure accuracy of data.
5. Apply direct and indirect quotes.
6. Handle both on and off the record quotes and cite sources appropriately.
7. Apply basic obituary style.
8. Access the basic forms of information.
9. Apply newspaper policy.
10. Prepare for speeches, news, conferences and meetings.
11. Cover accidents, fire and disasters.
12. Write court stories.
13. Report on the beat.
14. Budget for a story.
15. Write business news, sport news, consumer news and crime news.
16. Prepare extended dialogue stories and first person stories.
17. Manipulate story structure and include variations.
18. Apply the process of investigative reporting.
19. Apply knowledge of media law.
20. Discuss the ethical issues facing the media. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Associated Assessment Criteria:

1. Solve problems by means of exploring and critically evaluating abstract and personal situations.
2. Solve problems by generating alternative solutions for dealing with those problems.

Specific Associated Assessment Criteria:

1. A lead is written according to the prescribed standard.
2. An example of each story is written according to the prescribed guidelines.
3. The correct guidelines for conducting an interview are produced. The interview topic/subject is selected. The interview is conducted according to the guidelines.
4. A topic is selected that has been reported on, and the content evaluated for accuracy and is documented.
5. An example is produced illustrating the correct use of direct and indirect quotes.
6. An example of on and off the record quotes is produced and the appropriate sources are accurately cited.
7. An example is produced of an article written in basic obituary style.
8. The means used to access basic forms of information are listed.
9. The basic tenets of newspaper policy are listed and an example of how the policy is applied is produced.
10. A basic checklist for each example is drawn up and an example of how to use the checklist for preparation is demonstrated.
11. An example of each item of news relating to accidents, fire and disaster is written.
12. A courtroom is visited and a number of cases heard. Two stories are written of the court events witnessed.
13. The report on the beat is produced.
14. A story is selected and the appropriate budget to cover the story according to the prescribed standard is produced.
15. An example of each type of news is written according to the prescribed guidelines.
16. An example of a dialogue story and a first person story is written according to the prescribed guidelines.
17. A sample story is written. The story structure is manipulated in a separate example and variations on the story structure are produced.
18. The process of investigative reporting is drafted and the process applied to a specific news item.
19. The criteria of media law is stated. The criteria is correctly applied to a specific news article.
20. The ethical issues facing the media are listed and the issues are discussed with respect to the relevance of each issue.

Integrated Assessment:

Continuous assessment in the form of class exercises and group exercise.

Formative and summative assessments are integrated into final assignment, final examination and final workplace assessment. 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
  • Articulation with qualifications offered at other institutions n/a
  • The qualifications toward which the graduate may proceed are the Diploma in Public Relations and Journalism, the Diploma in Public Relations and Communications.
  • Exit-level outcomes articulating with other qualifications are the Diploma in Sport and Event Management. 

  • MODERATION OPTIONS 
    A 10% sample of the examination scripts are moderated internally and the results available for the record. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Our own staff will be used as assessors in the manner accommodated within the quality management system of our institution. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 



    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.