Mass Communication & Journalism

A degree course in mass communication and journalism offers various job opportunities in newspapers, news channels, radio, online media, advertising field, publishing, public relations, film, and TV production. With the advent of new media and the information age, there is a tremendous demand for media professionals in India in the coming years; thus, from the career perspective, one can have a bright future in the media Industry.




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Eligibility    

Course Eligibility Duration
Graduation Class 10 +2 (Any stream) 3 years
Post-Graduation Graduate (Any stream) 2 years
Post Graduate Diploma Graduate (Any stream) 1 year
M.Phil./ Ph.D. Postgraduate (Mass Communication & Journalism) 3 years

Entrance Exam    

University and colleges carry out Common Entrance Test for Journalism (CETJ) to select eligible candidates.

Fees   

Depending on the type of institute/quota, fees can range from INR sixty thousand to INR three lakhs to four lakhs a year; similarly, a post-graduate course can cost in the range of INR forty thousand to INR two lakhs to three lakhs per year – both of the above are excluding lodging/boarding expenses.

Skills Required   

  • Outstanding communication skills

  • Flexibility to work in the field

  • Keen interest in people-related issues

  • Creative imagination

  • Competence to work effectively under pressure, react quickly, and meet tight deadlines.

Career Options   

A career in mass communication and journalism is very lucrative. Following are the various job profiles offered to graduates and postgraduates in mass communication and journalism:

Print Journalism

  • Reporter: A reporter collects news from the field, writes and disseminates it in stipulated time. The reporter also conducts interviews with politicians, celebrities, and famous personalities.

  • Editor: The editor plans the contents of the newspaper and supervises its preparation. Everything in the newspaper or publication is printed only after Editor’s approval.

  • Sub Editor: They give the final shape to the story submitted by a reporter. They identify and correct potential doubts, complications, and mistakes in the text or style of a newspaper.

  • Proof Reader: Proofreader detects and corrects production errors of text or art.

  • Translator: A translator converts the written word from the source language' into the 'target language’, making sure that the meaning is maintained.

  • Layout Designer: Layout designers, also known as visual concept designers are responsible for creating the overall look and design for newspapers, magazines, and journals.

  • Photo Journalist: The primary role of the photojournalist is to be a visual storyteller. By photographing, editing, and presenting images, they tell a story in a way that no other media can.

Broadcast Journalism

Radio

  • Radio Announcer: Radio announcers play the music, report the news, announce commercials, give public service announcements, and interact with listeners.

  • Radio Jockey: Radio Jockey anchors music program on radio. The task of an RJ is to entertain the listeners by playing music or conveying messages or information appealingly and attractively.

  • Programming Director: Programming directors determine the creative vision for a radio station or show, develop programming content and handle radio promotion projects.

  • Radio Engineer: Engineers maintain the equipment used in radio broadcasts and make sure that all systems are functioning properly.

  • Copy Writer: A Radio Copywriter writes scripts for radio commercials. They write creative jingles for advertisements aired on the radio.

Television

  • Anchor: TV anchors, also known as newscasters, news analysts, or news anchors are the face of the channel news stories to viewers.

  • TV Reporter: They are on the field at every kind of event to cover news stories. They report every piece of necessary information with accuracy on TV.

  • Assignment Editor: This person is responsible for the gathering of the news that goes into a program. They set news coverage priorities; organize the logistics of camera crews and reporters.

  • Director: The director controls a program’s artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the script while guiding the technical crew and artists in the fulfillment of that vision.

  • Producer: This person develops and organizes local programs and is responsible for scripting, story development, booking of guests, and overseeing field production and editing.

  • News Writer: The writer’s responsibilities include monitoring news feeds, preparing news packages for voicing by anchors or reporters, researching story information, booking guests for live interviews on news shows.

  • Video Journalists: They are vigilant to avoid missing any piece of information. They have a knack for handling camera with precision. A video journalist is a cameraperson usually attached to a TV channel where s/he shoots the content for news shows and documentaries.

  • Video Editor: A motion picture or television program is given final forms in the hands of a video editor. Editors turn audio samples, recorded video footage, and computer graphics into a finished product.

Advertising And Public Relations

  • Client Servicing: The Client Servicing department is the link between the client and the agency. This department is responsible for meeting prospective clients and getting business for the company.

  • Account Executive: An Accounts Executive takes care of all the monitory dealings. He is responsible for advertising the client’s product most effectively.

  • Media Planner: Media planner decides different media where the advertisements would be featured to get maximum viewership.

  • Media Buyer: Media Buyer negotiate to buy space in the Press or time on electronic media at the best rates for which he/she has to understand the buying as well as the latest selling trends.

  • Copy Writer: Copywriter is responsible for making the advertisements look attractive and delivering the message to the point. Copywriter creates slogan, jingles, and script.

  • Visualizer: Visualizer works on the visual concepts and decides how the advertisement shall eventually look. They do the overall layout of a message including graphics, sketching etc.

  • Public Relation Officer: These professionals craft positive public images for the organizations that employ them by gaining favorable media coverage.

Online / Multimedia Journalism

  • Web Content Manager: A web content manager is typically responsible for the content that appears on a website. They are typically in charge of content producers, content placement, and content quality.

  • Social Media Marketing: The role of social media marketer to produce content that users will share with their social network to help a company increase brand exposure and broaden customer reach.

  • Search Engine Optimization Expert: SEO directs or brings traffic to the website from natural search results on search engines. They improve the visibility of a website or a web page in search engines.

Undergraduate Courses (B.A./B.sc/Diploma)   

  • Bachelors in mass communication and journalism (BJMC)

  • Bachelors in Mass Media (BMM)

  • B.sc in mass communication and journalism

  • B. A. (Hons.) in Mass Communication

  • B.A (Hons) in Media Studies

  • B.A (Journalism and Mass Communication) (BAJM)

  • B.A in advertising and media arts

  • Diploma in film arts and A/V Editing

  • Diploma in print and electronic journalism

  • Advance Diploma in Experimental Media Arts

  • Certificate course in animation and visual effects

  • Diploma in Event Management (DME)

  • BBA in Event Management & PR

Postgraduate Courses (Masters/Diploma)   

  • Masters in Mass Communication (MMC)

  • Masters in Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC)

  • Master program in TV production, Direction, and Broadcast Journalism.

  • M. A (Journalism and Mass Communication) MAJM

  • Post Graduate Diploma in Print, Broadcast or online/ multimedia Journalism

  • Integrated International Post Graduate Program in Photography & Cinematography (IIPPPC)

  • Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism

  • Post Graduate Diploma in Event Management (PGDEM)

  • Post Graduate Diploma in Aspects of Media, Marketing and Events (PGDAME)

  • MBA in Event Management & PR

Some colleges offering the course:   

In Gujarat

In Maharastra

In India

Recruiters   

  • Hindustan Times Group of Publication

  • NDTV Network

  • Zee TV Network

  • Times of India Publication Group

  • BBC

Note:
All the students, teachers and guardians should note that the above mentioned websites and information on various colleges/universities may change under the rules and regulations of the education department.