Cindy Royal | Nieman Journalism Lab

Articles by Cindy Royal

Cindy Royal is an associate professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Texas State University and a 2013-14 John S. Knight Journalism Fellow at Stanford. She completed Ph.D. studies in journalism and mass communication at the University of Texas in May 2005. At UT, she focused on the effects of the Internet on communication and culture. Her dissertation, entitled Gendered Spaces and Digital Discourse: Framing Women’s Relationship with the Internet, dealt with the ways women’s media and web sites represent women’s usage of the Internet. Prior to doctoral studies, she had a career in marketing at Compaq Computer (now part of Hewlett Packard) in Houston and NCR Corporation in Dayton. She has an MBA from the University of Richmond and a BS in business administration from the University of North Carolina.

AI inspires innovation in journalism education

“It will be the educators’ job to direct students in the most effective ways to use AI to extend their capabilities, not replace them.”

AI changes everything…and nothing

“There will be mishaps and confusion. Same as it ever was.”

Yes, journalists should learn to code, but…

“They’ll need to think of coding as not just a single practice, but a range of related practices.”

All these new products won’t manage themselves

“Most of your journalism graduates probably aren’t going to work as reporters and editors.”

J-school grads maintain their optimism and adaptability

“You can always learn more or new ways to code, but not everyone can effectively ask ‘why’ a project is being done a certain way.”

Prepare media students for skills, not job titles

“Communication proficiency must be taught in a digital product context to prepare students with relevant and desirable skills, regardless of job title.”

For journalism curriculum to change, its faculty needs disruption

“What do these companies want? Leadership, strategy, problem-solving, excellent communication skills, all buoyed by an undercurrent of tech savvy — just what journalism graduates should be able to deliver.”

Your journalism curriculum is obsolete

“What processes are you establishing that will allow your program to remain current over time? What’s preventing you from taking action? Is it accreditation standards, university bureaucracy, or faculty interest/competency?”

Preparing the digital educator-scholar hybrid

“In a dynamically changing environment, in which digital is a given, we can no longer support this lecturer-professor divide. Every hire a journalism program makes must be able to teach courses in the digital realm.”

Product management is the new journalism

“In 2016, media organizations and journalism schools will begin to comprehend and define product management and embrace it as a relevant and critical career path. Shouldn’t people in these roles be trained to have the storytelling, ethical, and legal mindset of a media professional?”

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