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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Diploma in Journalism 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97044  Diploma in Journalism 
ORIGINATOR
Walter Sisulu University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Communication Studies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2030-06-30  

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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
80169  National Diploma: Journalism  Level 6  NQF Level 06  360  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
A learner with this qualification will be competent to operate efficiently, independently and professionally in a news environment producing basic media products as a junior journalist whose focus is social, political and economic reportage. The qualification will provide learners with the logical, analytical and research abilities that are fundamental for informed journalism on public issues.

Learners who will complete this qualification will have strong research and reporting skills, they will have a critical understanding of the media, they will be equipped with skills to either enter professional practice in the media or continue with further qualifications in the field. The qualification will develop the learners' understanding of both theoretical and applied issues in Journalism and related areas.

Rationale:
The institution has successfully offered the Diploma in Journalism for some years. It is one of the only diplomas left in the country, and will give learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, and dysfunctional schools access to higher education. The offering of the qualification is extremely important in a province like the Eastern Cape, which suffers from high levels of unemployment and thus high levels of poverty.

It is important to note that currently the only other requalification for students wishing to do a diploma in Journalism, is via the private education system, which is not attainable for the majority of prospective learners. The diploma was designed with the UNESCO Model for Journalism Education in mind, and thus complies with the highest standards of Journalism Education.

Learners will strive to promote the role of professional and ethical journalism in the service of the public - a role which is gaining more importance with the availability of news online and the resulting spread of so-called "fake" news.

Learners who complete this diploma will be able to work as cub reporters, media officers, magazine journalist, press sub-editor, newspaper journalist, web content manager, proof-reader, advertising copywriter, translator, sub-editor, broadcast journalist or science writer.

Learners with this qualification will be able to work within their communities as community reporters, or will be able to start their community papers or media businesses. This will help in disseminating information about the community, which may in turn to effect change within the community. It may also help in creating jobs within these communities. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning is done according to the policy of the institution. Students can apply for admission through the RPL process. At the institution, RPL can be used:
  • By those seeking admission into the institution.
  • To obtain access to learning qualifications.
  • To obtain credits towards a qualification.
  • To obtain advanced standing for a qualification.

    In RPL processes designed to grant access, an RPL application is evaluated against the entry requirements of the qualification. Applicants seeking access to the Advanced Diploma: Public Relations may be considered for the RPL route, if they have been working in a relevant communication department for more than five (5) years.

    RPL applications are sent directly to RPL manager who requests for Portfolio of Evidence. The RPL manager sends the application form and Portfolio of Evidence to the relevant academic department.

    Lecturers may be expected to compile a list of documentation needed that will satisfy the exit level outcomes of the qualifications. A prospective learner may be found competent against some or all of these outcomes.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, granting access to Diploma studies.
    Or
  • National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4, granting access to Diploma studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5 and 6, totalling 360 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at Level 5, totalling 240 Credits:
  • News Reporting 30 Credits.
  • Media Production I 30 Credits.
  • Media Information Management I 30 Credits.
  • Media Communication I 30 Credits.
  • Media Production II 54 Credits.
  • Media Communication II 26 Credits.
  • Advanced Reporting II 40 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at Level 6, totalling 120 Credits:
  • Media Production III 30 Credits.
  • Media Practice III 60 Credits.
  • Advanced Reporting III 30 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Produce an elementary news report for print or broadcast under supervision.
    2. Understand and describe events about contemporary history and politics to contextualise reports and academic assignments.
    3. Develop linguistic proficiency and communication skills for information gathering and structuring.
    4. Type fast and accurately.
    5. Apply basic media law and ethics to news production.
    6. Behave professionally, concerning treatment of others, adherence to deadlines, accuracy and to enhance teamwork in the media organisation.
    7. Produce newsworthy, publishable visual images.
    8. Access, evaluate, use and source information resources effectively and responsibly to create publishable stories and academic writing.
    9. Research and write academic assignments and advanced reports for current affairs and news for media use.
    10. Produce and edit print media products applying knowledge of news genres, visual values and ethics.
    11. Access, evaluate, use and source information resources effectively and responsibly to create publishable stories and academic writing.
    12. Produce and edit broadcast material applying knowledge of news genres, visual values and ethics.
    13. Develop contextualised, in-depth print media content from inception to final product in a contextualised environment.
    14. Develop contextualised, in-depth broadcast reports from inception to final product in a contextualised environment
    15. Develop contextualised, specialised reports or features for print, online or broadcast distribution in a contextualised environment. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Identify news angles and values to gather, structure and report news for print and broadcast.
  • Demonstrate the ability to angle and structure a news story to address an audience through the selected media channel.
  • Produce elementary news report which reflect background research.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Use basic historical and socio-political knowledge to discuss news events, institutions and personalities.
  • Demonstrate the ability to discuss news events, institutions and personalities based on previous and current knowledge.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Communicate the outcomes of background research and interviews clearly and proficiently.
  • Develop the ability to communicate well within the news context.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Demonstrate the ability to type reports, scripts and assignments accurately and within a given time frame.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Demonstrated ability to publish reports that are not legally actionable.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • The ability to analyse, elaborate and defend ethical decisions to produce news.
  • Organise activities by handing in work on time (meet deadlines).

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Record photographic images correctly.
  • Focus visual images appropriately and compose images according to news values.
  • Conceptualise and define visual images appropriately.
  • Apply ethical considerations to photo-journalism.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Ability to apply basic research skills to assignments and story gathering.
  • Demonstrate the ability to research and source news reports and academic assignments appropriately.
  • Demonstrate ability to analyse and discuss Media texts and institutions properly.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
  • Demonstrate the ability to research and communicate information clearly whether visually, orally and in writing, in order to produce media texts.
  • Demonstrate the ability to research and source contextual and critical information reliably.
  • Use a number of different media genres to generate news stories.
  • Analyse, elaborate and defend ethical considerations in the production of news.
  • Produce news reports that are not legally actionable.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
  • Demonstrate the ability to appropriately gather, edit, design and use relevant information in order to produce a print media product.
  • Demonstrate the ability to discuss relevant print media concepts, techniques and media policy.
  • Accurately describe and discuss professional media structures, processes and ethics.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11:
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply basic research skills to academic writing.
  • Analyse cultural-media theory, media texts, practices and institutions critically and discuss.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12:
  • Correctly gather, edit and produce a broadcast qualification according to established criteria.
  • Conceptualise and define broadcast images appropriately.
  • Discuss and use broadcast concepts, techniques and media policy.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 13:
  • Critically source and evaluate information and content using established methods.
  • Write content in accordance with established news values and reflect contextualised background.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of media ethics and media law.
  • Edit and produce critically sourced information or content to a publishable standard.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 14:
  • Critically source and evaluate material for broadcast news and inserts according to established news room methods and values.
  • Appropriately script and produce broadcast news and inserts according to established criteria.
  • Edit broadcast content to established criteria.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 15:
  • Gather, write, edit and produce critically sourced and specialised media content to established criteria.
  • Write specialised news or features using established criteria.
  • Edit specialised news of features using established criteria.
  • Discuss concepts, structure and theory within the area of specialist coverage critically.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The Journalism Diploma makes use of continuous assessment methods due to the practical nature of the diploma. Learners will have to demonstrate competency in each aspect of the qualification by submitting assessments that may be used in a Portfolio of Evidence.

    A wide variety of assessment methods may be used, for example, academic tests, pop quizzes, observation, practicals, practical assignments, news reports, with the provision that at least three assessments per qualification must be done in a semester, one of which must be a test.

    Work Integrated Learning is used to introduce the student to the life of a reporter within a real-life context. Work Integrated Learning must completed at the Institutions' News Agency on campus.

    Lecturers must keep files of student work, with a minimum of 10% or 10 of the total papers kept on file. Files must include study guides, mark lists, attendance registers, tests, memoranda, assignments and rubrics for these assignments.

    Formative Assessment:
  • Written, oral tests and examinations.
  • Continuous evaluation.
  • Multiple-choice tests.
  • Case studies.
  • Open book examinations and tests.
  • Theory exams and tests.
  • Formal year-end examinations (open or closed book).
  • Evaluation of production laboratory practice projects.
  • Interdisciplinary projects.
  • Group projects.
  • Individual projects.
  • Presentations.
  • Demonstrations.

    Summative Assessment:
  • Controlled projects.
  • Research assignments.
  • Panel assessment of year work.
  • Peer assessment of year work.
  • Panel assessment of assignments.
  • Peer assessment of year assignments.
  • Panel assessment of year work.
  • Lecturer assessment of year work, tests, assignments and projects research.
  • Final portfolios. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Diploma Journalism is in line with the prescriptions as outlined in the UNESCO model of Journalism It also compares favourably to similar qualifications in commonwealth countries, for instance the Degree in Journalism offered by the Massey University in New Zealand, with the notable difference that the Diploma in Journalism is more general. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Diploma in Integrated Communication, Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Journalism, Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma Public in Relations Management, Level 7. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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.
     
    1. Walter Sisulu University 


    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.