I don't think the solution is to make journalists skilled programmers, but to provide platforms that make it easy enough to do things like data journalism. I mean music, architecture, business intelligence, construction, industrial design etc. are all computer aided to large degree and they all mainly practice their individual discipline even if if it now involves some programming. So maybe what we are really is looking for is to combine the journalist with the statistician. Which, I would assume, currently leverages computers more than a journalist does.
I left because as much as I love journalism (it's extremely fulfilling work), the fact is that the business side of the journalism world is in terrible condition, and it didn't appear to me that there was any strong turnaround plan. Meanwhile, because of layoffs, furloughs, cuts in benefits, and more work heaped upon those who survived the cuts, morale was low.
In contrast, salary, benefits, job stability, and morale in the software development world are much higher. So I finally made the leap, and as much as I miss journalism, it was definitely the right move for my family's sake.
Now: Here's why I don't think colleges spitting out journalist-programmers is necessarily going to help journalism. If you are a half-decent programmer, your skills are going to be pretty portable, and certainly in demand elsewhere.
Why, then, would you stick it out in the journalism world while the business side of things crumbles around you, when you could be making significantly more elsewhere at a place with higher morale and more job security? I mean, yes, it's nice to feel like you're making a difference ... but you've also gotta pay the bills, right?