Introduction
Journalism is considered as the fourth pillar of the nation. Journalism is concerned
with writing, editing and producing the information through various types of media
like newspapers, radio, Television and Internet. Journalists are the link between
the people in power and the society. broadcast presenters or producers serve as
the chief supplier of information and opinion in contemporary mass society. From
informal beginnings in the Europe of the 18th century, stimulated by the arrival
of mechanized printing in due course by mass production and in the 20th century
by electronic communications technology today's engines of journalistic enterprise
include large corporations with global reach.
History
Journalism started with the invention of printing press in the eighteenth century.
Earlier printing press was used to distribute and promote Bible. Gradually, its
use was extended to print newspapers. A lot of newspapers were a part of revolutions
taking place all over the world. Therefore the journalist has played old and responsible
role in our society. Today Newspapers are the source of information for all the
events happening world over. Newspapers greet us when we wake up in the morning.
Therefore Newspapers have become an integral part of our life.
It is believed that journalism had its nascent birth in India in Bengal in the year
1780 when Bengal Gazette or the Calcutta General Advertiser was started by James
Augustus Hickey in 1780. The Gazette was a two-sheet newspaper focusing on the private
lives of the Sahibs of the Company. Hickey soon ran into trouble and later his venture
was adopted by many and continued. Independence saw the introduction of many newspapers
in India. In the year 1991, India had 214 newspapers which were being published
in 16 languages.
Parallel Streams to Journalism are
1. Sports Journalism :
Sports journalism covers many aspects of human athletic competition, and is an integral
part of most journalism products, including newspapers, magazines, and radio and
television news broadcasts.
2. Science Journalism :
Science journalism is a relatively new branch of journalism, in which journalists'
reporting conveys information on science topics to the public. Science journalists
must understand and interpret very detailed, technical and sometimes jargon-laden
information and render it into interesting reports that are comprehensible to consumers
of news media.
3. Investigative Journalism :
Investigative journalism, in which journalists investigate and expose unethical,
immoral, and illegal behavior by individuals, businesses and government agencies.
4. New Journalism :
New Journalism uses certain devices of literary fiction, such as conversational
speech, first-person point of view, recording everyday details and telling the story
using scenes.
5. Gonzo Journalism :
Gonzo journalism is characterized by its punchy style, rough language, and ostensible
disregard for conventional journalistic writing forms and customs. Gonzo journalism
attempts to present a multi-disciplinary perspective on a particular story, drawing
from popular culture, sports, political, philosophical and literary sources.
6. Celebrity Journalism :
Another area of journalism that grew in stature in the 20th Century is 'celebrity'
or 'people' journalism, which focuses on the personal lives of people, primarily
celebrities, including movie and stage actors, musical artists, models and photographers,
other notable people in the entertainment industry, as well as people who seek attention,
such as politicians, and people thrust into the attention of the public, such as
people who do something newsworthy.
7. Convergence Journalism :
An emerging form of journalism, which combines different forms of journalism, such
as print, photographic and video, into one piece or group of pieces. Convergence
journalism can be found in the likes of CNN and many other news sites.
8. Ambush Journalism :
Ambush journalism refers to aggressive tactics practiced by journalists to suddenly
confront and question people who otherwise do not wish to speak to a journalist.
There is a lot of scope for journalists due to the number of newspapers and magazines
that are being published now days. With the advent of internet, journalists can
work as cyber journalists or as broadcast journalists for various News channels.
Journalists can get very well paid jobs in weeklies and political, economical, film
magazines. Journalism means reporting the facts truthfully therefore Journalists
will always be in demand. Apart from linguistic skills, it also requires extensive
general knowledge since the media comes into contact with any field in society.
Current Market Scenario :
The circulation of Indian dailies jumped 33 per cent to over 7.86 crore during 2001-05
even as global newspaper circulation increased 9.95 per cent in the same period.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, newspaper circulation is growing and new newspapers
are being launched at a 'remarkable rate'. Daily newspaper titles surpassed 10,000
for the first time in history, with India accounting for 1,834 dailies in 2005,
up 22.8 per cent from 1,493 dailies in 2001. Newspapers are doing far better than
commonly believed. In fact, the figures confirm that the industry is healthy and
vigorous and is successfully dealing with increasing competition from other media.
The circulation of India's dailies consistently increased from 5,91,29,000 in 2001
to 7,29,39,000 in 2003 to 7,86,89,000 in 2005. Newspapers represent a 180-billion
dollar industry, with more advertising revenues than radio, cinema, magazines and
Internet combined.
Do you make the cut?
Physical Challenge :
To become a good journalist one should have the qualities of being flexible, a good
personality, clear thinking, will power, an aptitude for presenting information
in an accurate, concise and effective manner, power of keen observation, and above
all boundless courage to face the perils of investigative reporting on dangerous
assignments.
Psychological challenge :
A good journalist should be able to report with candid knack and have brilliant
ideas to churn out exciting new stories everyday.
When he is reporting, he has to define the parameters, which would ensure that he
is not indulging in any type copyright violations and that his reporting is not
amounting to any kind of defamation. He has to gather quality news through various
sources, do research that would act as a backup to his report and present it in
such a manner that is easily understood by anyone.
Top Career Options
There are two categories in journalism reporting and the desk. The reporters generate
stories and features while the desk does all the copy and news editing (by the news
editor) and production work like page making. At another level, other important
categories are – print media and electronic media. Journalits can find jobs in private
sector as well as government sector. Many journalists also get to go abroad.
There are various kinds of editors
1. Chief Editor or resident editor :
These editors supervise the collection, selection and presentation of all news items.
He is also responsible for all content in the edition.
2. News editor :
The news editor decides all news items to be included in the day’s edition of the
newspaper.
3. Assistant editors and chief-sub editor :
These work under the news editor.
4. Sub editors :
These select and sort out all news items coming to the new paper office through
various sources like news agencies wire stories and in-house contribution from reporters
and edit selected copies for carrying on the relevant page.
Some journalism companies are :
- Times of India
- Hindustan Times
- Deccan Herald
- Indian Express
- Hindu
Top Remuneration & Lifestyle
Generally, the salaries are low in print media compared to the electronic media
but this is not a rule. The minimum salary as per government directive has to be
Rs. 5500 to Rs. 9000 for reporters and senior reporters, Rs. 5000 to Rs. 10,500
for the chief reporters and sub-editors, and Rs. 7500 to 12000 for editors. Actual
salaries offered depend on the company one is working with, and can be anything
from very high to very low. If you get employment in electronic media, then depending
on your experience you might get a salary above Rs. 15,000.
Course Detail & Eligibility
Fee Structure :
The fee structure for journalism can be anywhere between Rs.30,000 to Rs.50,000.
Duration :
The duration of the course is 1 year if it is a diploma and 2 years if a degree
course.
Syllabus :
Definition of Journalism- Nature, scope, functions, role of press in democracy,
principles of Journalism,
Kind of journalism – Newspaper, periodicals, specialized magazines, new journalism,
Development Journalism, Community journalism.
Press in India – A brief review of evolution of Indian Presswith special reference
to J.A. Hickey, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, James silk Buckhingam, M.K. Gandhi, S. Sadanand,
B.G. Horniman
Review of newspaper and periodical contents, photo journalism and use of cartoons,
comic strips, news agencies, professional press organizations etc.
Academics
General Eligibility :
For a bachelor degree in journalism minimum eligibility is 10+2 from a recognized
university with at least 50% marks. And a bachelor’s degree makes you eligible for
admission to master’s postgraduate degree course. Some institutes require an entrance
exam while others give admission on merit basis. There are also courses in specialized
areas of journalism like in sports, television and photojournalism among others.
Premiere Institute Eligibility :
A.J.K. Mass Communication Research Centre, New Delhi offers a 3 years course in
Journalism. Candidates who have taken their first degree in Arts, Humanities, Social
Sciences, Natural Sciences, Engineering or Medicine, Commerce etc. are eligible
to apply, provided they have secured 50 percent or more marks in aggregate in their
first degree examination after the 10+2 Examination.
Institute Watchlist
- A.J.K. Mass Communication Research Centre, New Delhi( Delhi )
- Acharya Nagarjuna University , Guntur( Andhra Pradesh )
- Barkatullah Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal( Madhya Pradesh )
- Garware Institute of Career Education and Development, Santacruz (E)( Maharashtra)
- K.C. College of Management Studies, Mumbai( Maharashtra )
- Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur( Maharashtra )
- Academy 18, Kalkaji, New Delhi
- Ajmera Institute Of Media Studies (A.I.M.S.), Uttar Pradesh
- Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
- Asian College of Journalism (A.C.J.), Chennai
