Journalism

Journalism is a profession that includes writing or communicating, for the benefit of an individual group of people. A journalist or a writer is supposed to utilize the facts so as to describe any particular event, idea or issue that is relevant to the public. On the other hand, Mass communication is the academic study by which the pupil conveys information to a large segment of population or masses. 

Journalism consists of all about collecting day-to-day important happenings and makes it available to the masses through a spectrum of mediums. The medium can be print that comprises of newspaper and magazines and then there is electronic medium comprising of television, radio or Internet. They cater to the requirements of masses and make them aware about the good and the ugly. It is considered with the assimilation and broadcasting of news through various medias that may include photography, image illustrations, report writing, feature films and many more. 

Print journalism includes newspaper, magazines and journals where one can work as editors, reporters, columnists, correspondents and free-lancers. Electronic journalism comprises of radio, television and web where one can be a reporter, writer, editor, researcher, correspondent and television or radio anchor.

Character Traits of a ‘Journalist’

The realm of journalism is widely spread and involves a combination of character traits. To become a journalist, one requires having innate curiosity, patience, will power, ability to present accurate information from the irrelevant, organized thoughts in aesthetic words to express themselves in a creative yet clear way. Furthermore, one needs to be tactful, confident, composed and have to deal with patience to accept criticism. Journalists must have the ability to get along well with people as they have to interview personalities from all walks of life. 

Different arenas require different traits, but for those who opt for journalism must have better than average communication skills along with interest in current affairs and urge to bring the truth to the forefront. First of all it is not so easy to get into it but progressing is more difficult, but excellent communication skills, qualities of a team player, dexterity and confidence counts you in favor for jobs in the allied sphere. 

Area of Activity

The core area of activity of reporters inculcates the collection, assimilation and dissemination of news to masses or general public via either print or electronic media. On one hand where, print media has various branches including newspapers, magazines, journals, printed advertisement and news agencies, similarly on the other hand electronic media includes radio, television and web news portals. A fresher joins any of the news agencies as a trainee at news desk or the editing desk. Then after some experience, they are promoted to the reporting section. However, there are people who join straightaway as trainee reporters also. 

Working for a news agency is different due to its tougher deadlines. Additionally, the news reports are supposed to be accurate, brief as well as to-the-point. The way of writing is very formal and straight and it does not leave any scope for analysis within the entire story. Then there are news agencies like Press Trust of India (PTI) and United News of India (UNI) that are working even on the national holidays that are considered as rare holidays for newspapers. 

Eligibility Criteria

Minimum qualification required for admission in bachelor’s degree in journalism is 10+2 and at the same time for post graduation degree courses, most of the universities ask for at-least 50% aggregate marks at graduation level. Additionally there are specialized courses in the arena of journalism such as television, sports, photography, press law etc.

It is considered that no course or training can claim to make a journalists, it can train the aspirant in technical aspects but to ensure further growth in the field, you need to have inborn capability to write thereby organizing your thoughts in concise and interesting method. Only those who have flair for writing are selected and employed for being a reporter, copy writer or a correspondent. 

Institutions/Universities offering various Journalism courses

The journalism courses including the bachelor’s, post graduation as well as the certificate/diploma/PG Diploma courses are conducted by several universities, educational institutes and polytechnics. Not only govt. universities but several private institutions provide these journalism courses. Apart from the regular courses, aspirants can opt for the correspondence courses also. Some of the leading universities and institutes offering journalism courses are enlisted below:

For Bachelors in Journalism

    * Guwahati University, Guwahati

    * Magadh University, Gaya

    * Ranchi University, Ranchi

    * Delhi University – Delhi

    * Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla

    * Mangalore University, Mangalore

    * University of Calicut, Kerala

    * Department of Journalism, Rani Durgavati University, 634 Uprayanganj, Jabalpur

    * Devi Ahilya University, Indore

    * Department of Journalism, Marathwada University, Aurngabad, Maharashtra

    * Department of Journalism, Nagpur University, North Ambazari Road, Nagpur

    * Department of Journalism, University of Poona

    * Department of Journalism, Punjab University

    * Kota Open University, Kota

    * University of Rajasthan, Jaipur

    * Department of Journalism, University of Chennai

    * Department of Journalism, Banaras Hindu University

For Masters in Journalism

    * Andhra University, Vishakhapatnam,

    * Central University, Hyderabad

    * Telugu University, Hyderabad

    * Assam University, Silchar

    * Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi

    * Gujarat University, Ahmedabad

    * South Gujarat University, Rajkot

    * Kashmir University, Srinagar

    * Department of Postgraduate Studies and Research in Journalism, University of Mysore, Manasa Gangotri,

    * Karnatka University, Dharwad

    * Department of Journalism, Kerala University, Karlavattom, Trivandrum

    * University of Calicut, Kerala

    * Makhanlal Chaturved Patrakarita Vidyalaya, Bhopal

    * Department of Journalism, Marathwada University, Aurngabad

    * Department of Journalism, University of Poona

    * Department of Journalism, Punjab University

    * Department of Journalism University of Chennai

    * Madurai Kamraj University, Madurai

    * Manomaniam Sundaranar University, Tiruneleveli, Tamilnadu

    * PSG College Coimbatore, Tamilnadu

    * Department of Journalism Banaras Hindu University, Varanasti

    * Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi

    * Department of Journalism, Calcutta University, Darbhanga Building, Calcutta

Institutes offering Journalism course

    * Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, JNU Campus, New Delhi-110067.

    * A J K Mass Communication Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi-110025

    * Asian College of Journalism, Kasturi Centre, 2-Anna Salai, Chennai- 600 002

    * Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan Units at Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Mumbai, Kanpur and other cities of India.

    * Bhavan's College of Communication Kolkata, Hyderabad and Nagpur.

    * Bombay College of Journalism D. Waccha Road, Churchgate, Mumbai - 400020

    * Indian Academy of Mass Communication No.4 MTII Road, Padi, Chennai - 600 050.

    * Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication, Senapati Bapat Marg, Pune-411004.

    * Asian College of Journalism, Express Building, 1 Queen's Road, Bangalore-560001.

    * Department of Communication and Journalism, University of Poona, Pune-411004.

    * New Delhi YMCA, Centre for Mass Media, 1 Jai Singh Road, New Delhi-110001.

    * Amity School of Journalism and Communication, (More available at AKC House, E-27 Defence Colony, New Delhi -110024.

    * Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication, Apeejay Campus, Sector 8 Dwarka, New Delhi-110075

    * Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media HRBR Extension Kalyannagar Bangalore - 560043

    * Institute of Integrated Learning in Management Lodhi Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110003

    * Institute of Journalism Press Club, Behind Secretariat, Press Club Road, Thiruvanathapuram - 695001

    * Institute of Journalism Press Club, Kozhikode.. KT Somaiya Institute of Management Studies Vidya Vihar, Mumbai.

    * Manipal Institute of Communication Old Tile Factory Road, Press Corner, Manipal - 576104

    * Pioneer Media School. Second Floor, Link House, 3 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110002.

    * The Manorama School of Communication P.B. No.229, Kottayam – 686001

    * Rai Media Lab, B - II/58, MCIE, Mathura Road, New Delhi - 110044

    * School of Broadcasting and Communication 108, Building, 4, Kamdhenu Center, Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri (West), Mumbai - 400053

    * Sri Aurobindo Institute of Mass Communication, Sri Aurobindo Marg, Near IIT, New Delhi - 110016.

    * St. Xavier's Institute of Communication St. Xavier's College, Mumbai - 400001.

    * Manipal Institute of Communication, Udayavani Building, Press Corner, Manipal-576119.

Job Prospects

Working as a journalism is a prestigious vocation and highly paid one. Additionally, journalism plays a vital role in the development of nation and brings awareness amongst the general public. The main purpose of journalists is to inform, educate and enlighten people towards a particular social, economical or national issue. Different branches of journalism are witnessing a steady rise and it is expected to grow further on account of ever advancing professionalism in the sector. Only those who have patience, are dynamic, have flair to learn more and can project their ideas on the grounds of relevance can fit well in this sector. The challenges in the field of journalism are attracting more and more aspirants to take up job prospects like:

    * Editor (Chief Editor/Resident Editor/Sub Editor/News /Feature Editor/Associate Editor)

    * Proofreader

    * Reporter (Correspondent/Special Reporters)

    * Journalist

    * Copy writer

    * Writer (Feature writer/ Leader Writer/Content Writer/ Columnist/Critic)

    * Photo Journalist or News Photographer

    * Fashion Journalist

    * Cartoonists and illustrator

    * Free Lancer

Remuneration

There are number of job opportunities thrown by different realms of media such as newspapers, journals, advertising firms, radio stations, production houses, publication houses and television industry. Apart from the amount of job offers available in the marketplace, there is challenge, creativity and good remuneration packages that attracts more and more youth today. Additionally, jobs in radio stations, television shows, news hour shows like radio jockeys and anchors get a lot of name and fame in the allied segment that too instantly. Then there are travel and stay expenses as well as allowances that act as bonus with all pay packages. Free lancers are paid for number of projects they complete or each piece of work they submit.