26.03.07
First MA Investigative Journalism students set highest standards

The first two students to undertake University College Falmouth's new MA in Investigative Journalism are celebrating the news that they have been awarded distinctions by external assessors.

Edward Davies and Cheryl Dennis are the first students to undertake this new vocational course which is the only dedicated investigative journalism MA taught in the UK.

Edward Davies' project was about the failure of local authorities to inspect fast food outlets. Ed showed that in one town in Devon a number of fast food outlets had dangerous levels of contamination, and that the local authority had failed to monitor these and many other outlets. His project also formed the basis of a major BBC South West investigation that was broadcast last October.

Cheryl Dennis' project demonstrated that third party telecom companies were obtaining details of users of a leading mobile phone service provider and selling them new contracts by claiming to be working with that particular provider. Cheryl located subscribers who had been misled and mistreated, and was able to show that the provider's commercial relationship with these third party companies was secretive and ambiguous.

This new addition to University College Falmouth's burgeoning portfolio of media courses builds on the phenomenal twenty-year success of the College's MA/PgDip in Broadcast Journalism – the course whose alumni number ITN News Correspondent, Angus Walker, and BBC News Correspondent, Fergus Walsh, amongst many other success stories.

The new MA is led by highly regarded investigative journalist, Paul Lashmar, who has hundreds of exposés to his credit through his work for The Independent on Sunday, The Observer, Granada's World in Action and many other national media organisations, during a successful career spanning almost 30 years.

"Edward Davies and Cheryl Dennis produced projects of a very high standard and thoroughly deserve their distinctions," commented Paul Lashmar. "Both students demonstrated an instinct to find a story that needed to be told and showed a level of determination that was impressive," he added.

"Both produced pieces of journalism that they can be very proud of and both have found immediate employment in journalism – Ed's now at ITV Wales and Cheryl is at Orchard FM. Our MA is designed to get students into the workplace and their success is testament to that. It is a pleasure to know that there is a new generation of students who have the intelligence and determination to want to get to grips with this difficult, but highly satisfying, area of journalism, and who know they can make a difference. We hope that Edward and Cheryl will be the first of many such investigative journalists to graduate from UCF."

Edward Davies is very happy with his MA, and adds: "This course will teach you the necessary skills to dig for evidence and throw light on the issues of public interest that those in authority would prefer you didn't. The first class training and support I received at Falmouth helped me turn a speculative Freedom of Information request into an exclusive investigation broadcast on BBC1. An MA in Investigative Broadcast Journalism will give you the 'X factor' - it's a way of telling prospective employers you're serious about, and capable of, original journalism."

Cheryl Dennis, who has nothing but praise for the course, agrees: "Studying for an MA in Investigative Broadcast Journalism took my work to a whole new level both practically and theoretically – it was exciting, challenging and at times really tough, but it has been a massive influence in shaping my attitude towards journalism. It opens your mind to new ways of approaching news and broadcasting, helps you become more creative in trying to get to the crux of a story and makes you ask way more questions than you ever imagined.

"As for getting a distinction - I think a big part of my approach and determination came from the fact that the course was delivered with bags of enthusiasm and by experienced speakers that you can't help but feel inspired by.

"Doing well also confirms you're following the right path. The hard work and money spent studying have been well worth it as the rewards of knowing you did your best and getting a job feel great," concludes Cheryl.

University College Falmouth is a founding partner in the Combined Universities in Cornwall, a unique initiative to promote regional economic regeneration through higher education. The CUC is funded mainly by the European Union (Objective One), the South West Regional Development Agency, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England, with support from Cornwall County Council.

For further information about MA Investigative Journalism at University College Falmouth, please visit www.falmouth.ac.uk/investigative, email admissions@falmouth.ac.uk or contact Admissions on 01326 214386.

For further information contact Jilly Easterby, Head of Public Affairs, University College Falmouth on 01326 213792 or email jilly.easterby@falmouth.ac.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). University College Falmouth is a partner of the CUC.

Editor's notes:

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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