The centre for journalism studies

The CFJ : more than 60 years of experience

Since its foundation the CFJ, which is based on the rue du Louvre, has always prepared journalists to meet the challenges of the day and to adapt to the changing face of the media. The school aims to teach the basic skills and values of journalism so that, after the 20-month course, its graduates are fully equipped to join the profession.

A long history : but the mission stays the same

More than 60 years ago Philippe Vianney and Jacques Richet, the leaders of the Resistance movement « Défense de la France » founded the CFJ to train the competent journalists that the newspapers which started up after the liberation of the country needed so badly. Today the media are going through a period of intense change and there is an even greater demand for highly trained professionals.

The search for excellence

Since 1946 more than 2,000 journalists have graduated from the CFJ and most of them work in the newsrooms of the major newspapers and magazines, in radio and television stations and digital media throughout France and abroad. In the ten years from 2000 to 2010, seven former students have been awarded the Prix Albert Londres for an outstanding contribution to journalism in different areas.

A reference from the outset

The CFJ is a higher education establishment for technological and professional training and a member of the Conférence des Grandes Ecoles( Association of French Higher Education Institutes). Prospective students sit a highly selective entrance exam and the diploma is recognized by the National Education Authority and the National Commission for the Employment of Professional Journalists (Commission nationale paritaire de l’emploi des journalistes). Since its foundation the school has had a reputation for rigorous and responsible journalism.

Innovation : a leitmotif

The CFJ has always been attentive to the latest developments in print and media technology and new cultural approaches to news gathering. A training course for video journalists was launched in 1984, multimedia training was introduced in 2000 and an apprenticeship sandwich course was set up in 2007.

Freedom of the press

The CFJ was founded in a period of resistance to oppression when freedom of expression and the right to criticize were fundamental values. If teaching basic writing skills and journalism techniques are a vital part of any course, the school tries to transmit another essential aspect of journalism : the journalist is a free agent, who is an intermediary between what is and the citizens who make up the reading public, the listeners, viewers and digital media users .

Professional and ethical standards

For over sixty years the school has aimed to transmit the highest ethical and professional standards : any information given should be fair and accurate, all facts should be checked, journalists should be free to make any comment or criticism they feel is honest and justified . Students should not accept any information at face value, but systematically check what they are told. Team work is a must.

Sandwich courses for apprentice journalists

Since 2004 the CFJ has been registered as a UFA, (a Training Centre for Apprentices). The young people who are accepted on this sandwich course learn the profession under the supervision of a working journalist, while being released from their internship for periods of specialised training at the school. Throughout the course the apprentice has a short-term contract with the media company that is employing him and has a minimum wage in accordance with current legislation. This training course has been set up under the aegis of the CFA (Centre de Formation par Apprentissage Paris Académie Entreprises).

Independent status

The CFJ is part of a company which specializes in publishing and training programmes for media professionals. Legally, it is an association with independent status.