Reimagining Journalism Education: The Role of University-Led Student Reporting Programs

University-led student reporting programs respond to two connected challenges: The decline of local news and the need for more practice-based journalism education. Drawing on a 2025 World Journalism Education Congress (WJEC) syndicate discussion with 18 global educators, this article examines challenges in sustaining these programs, including declining student interest, partnership-building, funding, compensation, and faculty workload. The authors argue that sustainability requires institutional support, clear editorial structures, student incentives, and meaningful local media partnerships.