BJTC campaigns to save quality journalism education against government funding cuts.

The Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) is co-ordinating a ‘Save Quality Journalism Education’ campaign, calling on the government to reverse planned cuts to journalism course funding in higher education.

The move follows new guidance from the Secretary of State for Education directing the Office for Students (OfS) to withdraw Strategic Priorities Grant funding from journalism courses for the 2025-26 financial year. In response, the BJTC has joined four other journalism education bodies in issuing a joint statement of concern to the Secretary of State for Education.

The statement, co-signed by the Association for Journalism Education (AJE UK), the National Council for Journalism Training Council (NCTJ), the Media, Communication and Cultural Studies Association (MeCCSA), and the Professional Publishers Association (PPA), warns the decision threatens the future of UK journalism.

Jon Godel, Chief Executive of the BCTJ, said: “Never has it been more important to have high quality journalism training. The scale of misinformation, particularly online, the spread of conspiracy theories and falsehoods underlines the critical importance of ensuring a strong supply of properly trained journalists to provide accurate information for audiences.”

“These cuts risk reducing the accessibility, quality and diversity of journalism education, and threaten the future health of journalism in the UK.”

The BJTC has written directly to both the Secretary of State for Education and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, urging the government to reconsider and reinstate support for journalism education.

The joint statement argues that removing funding now “sends a damaging signal”, noting that journalism graduates contribute across traditional newsrooms and the wider communications and creative industries.

The organisations have expressed readiness to collaborate with the Department for Education and Office for Students to develop sustainable funding approaches that support journalism’s role in public life.

The ‘Save Quality Journalism Education’ campaign continues as the industry mobilises against the proposed cuts. Readers can support the campaign by writing to their local MP about the importance of journalism education funding or sharing the issue through their professional networks.

For more details contact: sec@bjtc.org.uk

Read the full joint statement here.