Journalism and Mass Communication

Popularly referred to as the mother of all media, journalism is the occupation of writing, reporting, editing, photographing or broadcasting news. Journalism provides the option of being either salaried or freelance with the main areas of work being in the press (local, regional language, national, agencies, etc.), periodicals and in broadcasting. Journalists are professionals who practice journalism. They can hold either desk jobs or field jobs or a blend of both as per the requirements of the assignment given. 

WORK PROFILE

Reporters are sent on assignment or nose out their own stories by following up leads or receiving tip-offs from contacts. They work in the field and try to collect as much information as possible and may try to set up some interviews.

Correspondents– Foreign or political, court, social events, sports or city news cover stories related to their specialty. Working conditions of reporters and correspondents are hectic with enormous pressures to meet the deadlines. Working hours may be difficult, and reporters working for the morning papers start their work from the late afternoon, which may end at midnight.

Columnists– They have a regular signed column in which they write about a subject from their point of view.

Feature writers– They produce articles, longer than news stories and these need not necessarily be hotly topical. They are also given deadlines with enough time for thorough research and fixed word limits.

Critics– Review books, films, TV programs, records, CD’s, Websites, etc.
Sub-Editor- Spike, cut and occasionally re-write articles produced by other Journalists. They write headlines may update stories or change page layouts.

HIGHER EDUCATION
Many Universities in the country offer programs in Journalism or in Mass Communication which covers Journalism, advertising and Public Relations. The courses are Undergraduate courses of 3-year duration and can be pursued at the Postgraduate level also as a Diploma in Journalism of 1-year duration. Private institutes and educational organizations offer many short term courses also in the field of Journalism. Journalism courses teach the students about the history of Journalism, basics of mass media communication, advertising, public relations, copy editing, basic reporting, press laws and ethics, layout, design and production, electronic Journalism and many other important subjects. The Undergraduate program can be good for those who are totally focussed into getting into this field. To be preferred by employers it would be better if the students opt for a broad Undergraduate degree and then supplement it with Postgraduate education. Technicalities and theoretical knowledge may be taught in the Undergraduate course but ultimately it will be the person’s own qualities and talent that will help him or her to excel in the field.
 
 
TOP COLLEGES FOR JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION
 
  Xavier Institute of Communications,     Mumbai

  Asian College of Journalism, Chennai

  AJ Kidwai MCRC Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi

  IIMC, Delhi

  Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication, Pune

  Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media, Bangalore

  S. N. School of Art and Commerce, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad

  Manorama School of Communications, Kottayam

  Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,      Delhi

  Dept of Communication & Journalism, Pune University

  Film & Television Institute of India – Pune

  National Institute of Design-For Film Making-Best School

  Satyajit ray film and television institute

  Mudra Institute of Communications- Ahmedabad

  I.I.J in New Delhi and Bangalore

  Jamia Milia Islamia, Delhi

  Times Centre for Media and Management Studies, Delhi

  Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi

  Academy for Photographic Excellence [APEx], New Delhi

  Academy of Broadcasting, Chandigarh

  Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh)

  Amity School of Journalism And Communication, New Delhi

  B. H. U: Deptt. of Journalism and Mass Communication, Varanasi

  Birla Institute of Technology (Deemed University), Noida (Uttar Pradesh)

  Delhi College of Arts & Commerce, New Delhi

  EMPI Institute of Advertising & Communication, New Delhi

  Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (Punjab)

  ARENA Animation, Andheri (E) (Maharashtra)