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An old adage goes, “the pen is mightier than the sword.” Today, it may not always have to do with the pen, but the truth in this adage is something that is hard to dispute. With the explosion of multitude forms of media, there are a plethora of opportunities to pursue for budding journalists and media professionals. EducationPlus checks on what’s new. Today several colleges specialise in media courses that are all wired to train tomorrow’s budding journalists. The Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media (IIJNM) offers television journalism, radio journalism, newspaper journalism, magazine journalism and new media (web) journalism. Journalism at the PG level in Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication (SIMC) is offered only in Pune, as Master’s in Mass Communication, an UGC-recognised degree. This is journalism across media, covering print, television, cyber and radio, and in the last semester, students can specialise in one area of choice. The focus is not necessarily on the medium or vehicle (print or TV etc) but on the function of journalism. Further, a journalism specialisation trainee learns content development, content distribution, content marketing and media management functions in their basics, before going further into content creation/development in a given area and for a given medium. Based in Chennai, Asian College of Journalism has a three-term course structured to cover lectures and workshops, specialisation courses, electives and the dissertation. The academic year ends with a two-week internship at a print, broadcast, or online news organisation. The faculty assists in arranging these internships, which give students first-hand experience of a working journalistic operation. A two-month-long TV Journalism module run by the BBC is part of the broadcast specialisation.
Manipal Institute of Communication (MIC) of the Manipal University offers a two-year post-graduate course (M.S. Communication), three-year graduate programme (B.A. in Journalism and Communication), one-year post-graduate diploma in Corporate Communication (PGDCC) and a six-month certificate course in animation. “The journalism course of SIMC involves three internships of two months each, the first of which is in a voluntary or development sector organisation, and the other two in newspapers, portals, magazines or channels. Apart from that, each trainee has to complete seven compulsory projects each with a specific client: like short news capsules for a television channel, a series of 12 to 15 bylines for a publication or a portal, a social or communication research project for any organisation, a documentary on an NGO, et al,” says Ujjwal K. Chowdhury, Director, SIMC. At the Sri Sri Centre for Media Studies (SSCMS), curriculum and syllabus are in tune with industry demands. Professionals of the media industry interact with students on a daily basis. Innovation, discovering own solutions, creative ideas and time-bound deliverables are expected of students. Convergence Institute of Media, Marketing and Information Technology Studies (COMMITS) offers M.A. in Audiovisual Communication, and in Marketing and Management Communication.
Journalism is a field that values individuals who are curious, well-read, enthusiastic, creative and who have demonstrated initiative in their work and studies. “We seek students with a passion for the field and a keen interest in what is happening around them. This may be reflected by outstanding prior work in journalism, or by describing clearly what motivates him/her to a career in this field,” says Kanchan Kaur, Vice-Dean, Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media (IIJNM). A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline is normally required. Applicants awaiting final year examination results or who will be graduating this year may also apply. For diploma programmes, you must have cleared an equivalent of the 12th Standard exam. Some colleges mandate that the student clear the SNAP written test (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test) apart from group discussions, interviews and the like. The admission process for M.S. Communication, BAJC and PGDCC is based on an all-India entrance test. Varadesh Hiregange, Assistant Professor, Manipal Institute of Communication, says, “Journalism is increasingly being defined and directed by the demand-and-supply economics. Journalism is not merely a career, but also a commitment to larger interests of society. Journalism education also makes itself redundant if it forgets such a commitment.” Says Ranita Hirji, Dean of Studies, COMMITS, “since our insitute offers an M.A. degree (and not a diploma), it allows students to pursue higher studies and apply for international fellowships and research. With the students getting exposure to a variety of subjects, it also allows them to multi-task and seamlessly move from one career option to another depending upon the requirement.” So, if you have the flair for articulation and the will to stand by the truth, this will be a rewarding experience.
ManipalSite/Users/ colpage.aspx? collegeid=4&Id=1 http://www.asianmedia.org/
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Exciting times: Students practise anchoring and shooting, while another team works on video editing system (background).