The closure of Thompson Rivers University’s Bachelor of Journalism program in 2021 sent shockwaves through the journalism student community. Students vividly recall the day they learned about the program’s discontinuation. Shannon Smyrl shares her perspective.
The Journalism Department at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is a thriving hub in the heart of British Columbia, where aspirants to become journalists can begin a life-changing journey into the dynamic world of media and storytelling. TRU’s Journalism Department is more than just a place to study; with a curriculum that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and practical experience, it serves as a springboard for the next generation of journalists. Learn how TRU is reshaping journalism education, fusing tradition with technology, and equipping students to bravely navigate the constantly changing media and communication landscape—from state-of-the-art multimedia labs to faculty members with practical experience. Come explore the special qualities, noteworthy accomplishments, and distinct vibe that characterize TRU’s journalism department.
For the department, the last three years have been a testing ground. When students learned that TRU’s journalism program might close in the spring of 2021, it was a turning point. The announcement, delivered informally and causing widespread distress, left students like Madelyn Gammel and Janelle Rudolph grappling with uncertainty.
“I didn’t like the way I found out, I found out through just like word of mouth, like they didn’t send like a big email or anything out to us. I found out in my class before that email went out because one of the professors was having a venting session about how he thought it was the death of journalism,” said Rudolph.
Gammel agrees, highlighting the emotional cost of learning about such news through unofficial sources. The uncertainty regarding the fate of the program added to the stress, with professors themselves uncertain about the future.
“Finding out from other people instead of it being an official way,” Rudolph said. “Profs didn’t know if the program was closing and would we be forced to leave?”
200 students were told that their program was closing.
“I love journalism,” said Gammel. “Writing is one the things I can do the best and I believe that this will have an impact in the future.”
“In an increasingly globalized world, journalism fosters understanding by bridging disparate points of view,” Gammel said. “It gives people the information they need to make wise decisions. Journalism serves as a trustworthy information source during emergencies, helping to direct public policy. In the end, journalism protects democracy by elevating a variety of voices and developing informed citizens, both of which are vital to the advancement of society.”
Being the only university in Western Canada to offer a Bachelor of Journalism is one of TRU’s unique selling points. This particular program was the impetus behind the relocation of students such as Rudolph to British Columbia.
“I moved to B.C. specifically for the degree. Then I found out that it’s closing. I started panicking and looking for other options. The University of Saskatchewan only offers a diploma in journalism and for others, it’s only a post-bachelors.” Rudolph said.
TRU made a calculated decision to launch the Bachelor of Communication and Digital Journalism in the fall, with three major streams available: Public Relations, Media Studies, and Digital Journalism.
Professor Shannon Smyrl of the Journalism and Communication department makes it clear that the journalism degree was changed to better reflect current business practices rather than abolished.
“The Journalism degree wasn’t closed,” Smyrl said. “It was updated to reflect trends in the industry including increasing professional convergence between public relations and Journalism. The original Journalism degree was modified to be a Bachelor of Communication and Digital Journalism to bring that experience of the integrated and converging relationship of Journalism and Communication to our students so they are prepared for future careers.”
Smyrl clarifies the rationale for the modifications on behalf of the faculty.
“We want our graduates to be able to move with confidence and with the skills needed through today’s changing media environment. Our students can now choose between three majors, Public Relations, Media Studies, and Digital Journalism, while having the opportunity to take courses and gather experiential learning opportunities across these areas.”
The goal of the change was to give students a more diverse range of skills, taking into account how communication and journalism are increasingly integrated in today’s media environments. Students can select from three majors in the Bachelor of Communication and Digital Journalism program, which also offers opportunities for cross-disciplinary learning.
Smyrl emphasizes the importance of a journalism degree in today’s context.
“In Journalism, students work to become strong ethical storytellers accountable to the public. Today’s media environment presents many challenges in media literacy and information distribution; graduates from the BCDJ contribute to stronger media literacy and can voice accountability to ethical and effective storytelling and communication in society.”
TRU’s dedication to equipping students with the dynamic media landscape is apparent through its cutting-edge multimedia labs and the abundance of real-world experience provided by faculty members with backgrounds in industry. TRU’s approach to journalism education is characterized by the integration of technology and tradition.
The journalism department at TRU is a leader in journalism education because of the faculty’s dedication to providing students with a broad skill set that encompasses various aspects of communication.
Journalism at TRU has persevered through difficulties and come out stronger and more resilient. The change from a stand-alone journalism program to the broad Bachelor of Communication and Digital Journalism program is indicative of TRU’s dedication to offering a thorough education that equips students with the diverse demands of the media sector.
At TRU, aspiring journalists are members of a community that celebrates creativity, flexibility, and the timeless quality of moral storytelling. They are not just students. Enrolling in TRU’s Journalism Department is not just a learning experience; it’s a life-changing adventure that prepares students to bravely and expertly navigate the ever-changing media landscape. Tradition and technology converge in the hallways of TRU’s journalism department, fostering an environment where the past shapes the present and students have the ability to influence the story of the media of the future.
