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Journalism

Home > Career Library > Media Communication > Journalism
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Journalism

Summary

Journalists investigate, analyze and report local, national and international events, happenings, trends, current affairs, etc. Journalists have a vital social role, they report news and convey informed opinions on a plethora of topics, ranging from politics to celebrities. They work in different settings, from comfortable offices to potentially dangerous field locations, such as war zones.

Career Opportunities in Journalism

  • Broadcast Journalism
    Broadcast journalist are those who present information to the mass audience through electronic medium - Radio or Television and not in the print form. Their job is to present accurate, interesting and eye-catching information to gather attention of the public. They work in the field of politics, war, and environment.
  • Public Relations
    Public relations managers work is to gather attention of the public with an intent to pursue them regarding their product, idea or company. Their job is to influence opinion and behaviour of the audience. Their job is to bring accomplishment to their client by using all forms of media channels.
  • Social Media
    Journalism has changed with the emergence of social media. Websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Linked-In now serve as news sources for many of their followers. Degree in Journalism will help you secure the most sought-after jobs in social media.
  • Investigative Journalist
    Investigative journalist does an in-depth investigation of an event or situation. Their main focus is to present a part of information that someone is trying to hide. Investigative reporters are behind many of the reforms that we see today.
  • Sports Journalism
    With sports arena growing in recent years, sports journalist has a major role in the news media organisation. As a sports journalist, you can handle various job duties such as reporting game statistics, interviewing players & coaches. A sports journalism career is sure to be an exhilarating one.
  • Freelance Writer.
    Unlike earlier scenario where a journalist would become part of a particular publication, now more and more writers are opting for freelancing. They are self-employed and thus their own boss. They work for different publications for short period of time. The more diverse a writer is, he/she is paid better in the industry.
  • Newspaper Reporter
    News reporter or a Correspondent, they gather news worthy information to inform people about the important events taking place around them. They gather information from various resources and may work in a specific beat according to their writing style.
  • Foreign Correspondent
    Foreign correspondents report primarily from a foreign location. They provide their own perspective of the event taking place. They are supposed to be up to date about regions history, current events and culture.

How to Pursue a Career in Journalism

Stream Graduation After Graduation After Post Graduation
Path 1
Clear Class XII in Any streamPursue Bachelors in Journalism/Mass Communication /BA Hons. (English/Mass Communication) for 3 yearsPursue Masters in Journalism for 2 years -
Path 2
Clear Class XII in Any streamGraduation in Any StreamPursue Diploma/ Masters in Mass communication/Journalism for 1- 2 years-

Important Facts

Journalism and Mass Communication are two different degrees.
Journalism is a part of Mass Communication but Mass Communication isn't a part of Journalism. While deciding the course do keep this thing in mind. While deciding the course do keep this thing in mind. Mass communication involves disseminating information to the masses whereas Journalism has an intention to inform people to get a reaction.
  • Most colleges have eligibility criteria of minimum 50% aggregate marks in Class XII (few colleges have 40% minimum aggregate criteria)
  • Some colleges/ universities also have an age limit.

Leading Institutes

Top Journalism Institutes in India
College Location Website
Lady Sri Ram College, DU New Delhi www.lsr.edu.in
Delhi College of Arts & Commerce, DU New Delhi www.dcac.du.ac.in
Kamala Nehru College, DU New Delhi www.knc.edu.in
Maharaja Agrasen College New Delhi www.mac.du.ac.in
Christ University, Bangalore www.christuniversity.in
Indraprastha University Various Locations www.ipu.ac.in
IIMC, Delhi New Delhi www.iimc.nic.in
IIMC, Kottayam Kerala www.iimc.nic.in
IIMC, Jammu Jammu & Kashmir www.iimc.nic.in
IIMC, Amaravati Maharashtra www.iimc.nic.in
IIMC, Aizawl Mizoram www.iimc.nic.in
IIMC, Dhenkanal Odisha www.iimc.nic.in
Asian College of Journalism Chennai www.asianmedia.org
Xavier Institute of Communications (XIC) Mumbai www.xaviercomm.org
Times School of Journalism, New Delhi New Delhi www.timesmediastudies.com
AJK Mass Communication Research Centre New Delhi www.jmi.ac.in
Top Journalism Institutes in the World
Institution Location Website
University of Missouri Unites States www.journalism.missouri.edu/programs/masters
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Communications Department Unites States www.colleges.startclass.com/l/4434/Virginia-Polytechnic-Institute-and-State-University
San Francisco State University, College of Liberal and Creative Arts, Department of Journalism United states www.lca.sfsu.edu/academics
California State University at Long Beach, College of Liberal Arts California www.cla.csulb.edu/departments/journalism
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, US www.journalism.columbia.edu/page/199-master-of-arts-in-journalism/200

Journalism Entrance Exams

Undergraduate
College Tentative Date Important Elements Website
Delhi University May - June Based on Merit Basis www.lsr.edu.in http
St. Xavier's college, Mumbai June Subject Test and objective Test
  • General Knowledge
  • Current Affairs
  • Data Interpretation
  • Economics
  • English
  • Language and Comprehension Skills
  • Logical Reasoning and Critical Analysis
  • Creative Thinking
Personal Interview		 www.xaviers.edu/main/index.php/bmm-bms-entrance-test-2017
Christ University, Bangalore Last week of April Written test followed by Personal Interview
  • Verbal reasoning
  • Comprehension skills
  • Language skills
  • Subject skills
www.christuniversity.in/2017-admissions
Indraprastha University, CET April
  • English Language and Comprehension
  • General Awareness
  • Reasoning
  • Media Aptitude
 www.ipu.ac.in/admission2017/adm2017main.htm
Postgraduate
Institution Tentative Date Important Elements Website
IIMC May
  • General Awareness, including understanding of social dynamics; interest in social history; awareness of public debates on matters of polity and economy; awareness about international developments influencing power equations in the world and their impact on India.
  • Aptitude & mental capability
  • language capability
  • Analytical & comprehension skills.
  • GD
  • Personal Interview
 www.iimc.nic.in/content/29_1_PostGraduateDiplomaCourses.aspx
Asian College of Journalism May - June
  • English
  • General Knowledge
  • Personal Interview
 www.asianmedia.org
Xavier Institute of Communications - OET March Objective and Subjective test
  • Language Skills
  • General Knowledge
  • Knowledge of Media,
  • Logical
  • Analytical skills.
Group Discussion & PI		 www.xaviercomm.org/admissions/admissions.htm
Times School of Journalism, New Delhi May - June
  • Written test
  • Interview
www.timesmediastudies.com
AJK Mass Communication Research Centre April - May
  • Written test
  • Interview
  • Group Discussion
  • Portfolio of Media related work
 www.jmi.ac.in/upload/programme/ets_centre_mcrc_ma_masscommunication.pdf

Work Description

  • Investigate, collect, verify and present information in an organised and objective manner
  • Present/ develop or read news on television, radio, magazines or newspapers
  • Be attentive to happenings in the society
  • Build a network of reliable sources for authentic information
  • Work in a team of reporters, writers, editors, photographers, technicians, etc.
  • Take part in interviews, conferences, discussions on different perspectives
  • Observe and evaluate things critically
  • Communicate with people through fluency in speaking as well as writing

Pros & Cons of a Career in Journalism

Pros
  • Journalist get to meet wide range of public figures and often spend quality time getting to know those individuals during an interview.
  • If you have a knack of knowing everything, then this field is best suited for you. From doing extensive research to getting goons out of the dark can be few of the jobs to mention.
  • This field makes you challenge yourself every day and make sure that your talent is put to use.
  • Journalism as a profession is a highly respected job, they are viewed as the most credible people.
Cons
  • There is always a risk to life when covering events of riots or war.
  • Journalist have long and hectic working hours which can affect one's social life.
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