Needed Current Characteristics of a Good Iranian Graduate in Journalism and Media Studies

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the current characteristics of a 'Good Iranian' graduate in the field of journalism and media studies in Iran using the qualitative research method of thematic analysis. The study's population consists of 45 master's degree students in journalism, promotion, communication, and cultural studies at the Soore University of Tehran who have been working in the media for at least two years after earning their bachelor's degree. A sample of 25 purposefully selected students was considered for unstructured interviews. Results showed five (5) comprehensive themes and 11 organizing themes characterizing a good graduate. The comprehensive themes constituted observing professional ethics while respecting ethics and objectivism in reporting events; being brave, having the courage to enter events such as war, earthquake, flood, etc., and having the intuition to reach, know, and locate news and news event to find the subject; being professional with subject knowledge, able to prepare material and increase others' knowledge; being competent in digital journalism, expressed in terms of cyberspace presence and functionality skills in this space; and, literate with international involvement, equipped with competencies in foreign languages, dealing with global organizations such as UNESCO, and being acquainted with journalistic events of the world.