The City University of New York (CUNY) announced on Monday that is creating an Entrepreneurial Journalism masters degree programme, reports The New York Times. Stephen B. Shepard, the founding dean of the school, comments "We're all very concerned about sustaining quality journalism, and we think the future of journalism is going to be entrepreneurial." For some, maintaining quality journalism and mixing reporting with business is contradictory.

As noted by Journalism.co.uk, CUNY has already invested in entrepreneurial journalism programs, such as its hyperlocal partnership with Patch and its research endeavors concerning business models in the news industry. With over $6 million in funding, mainly derived from the Tow Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the creation of a new masters program appeared to be the next logical step. The Entrepreneurial Journalism M.A. two-year program will refine students' business and research skills along with assisting and encouraging them to launch their own startup projects. Additional new programs are currently being considered for working professionals in the journalism field.

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