Fourth group of JDF bursaries awarded

The Journalism Diversity Fund is continuing to offer much needed help to socially and ethnically diverse students committed to a career in journalism.
Helena Hickey and Ruth Stivey were awarded bursaries having been successful at interviews which were held last week. Helena will study the Multimedia Diploma at News Associates, London, and Ruth will study the Newspaper Journalism course at Lambeth College.

Interviews took place at Pearson on Friday, 27 January and the panels, which consisted of Asad Ahmad, presenter/reporter, BBC London TV News; Joseph Harker, assistant comment editor, the Guardian, Dominic Ponsford, editor, Press Gazette; and Doug Wills, managing editor, London Evening Standard, quizzed interviewees on their passion for journalism, financial need and diversity.

The fourth group of bursaries was the final round and the last opportunity to apply for funding for journalism training starting in the academic year September 2011 – August 2012. The Journalism Diversity Fund has awarded bursaries to 20 aspiring journalists in this academic year.

Applications are now being accepted for NCTJ-accredited courses starting between September 2012 and August 2013.