Importance of Journalism

Every hour there is some story of discovery, politics, science, sports, education, a technology from around the world, and without journalists, it is impossible for those stories to reach the people. Over the years, the scope of journalism has increased as communication channels have broadened the mediums from radio, television sets, and newspapers to social media and online news websites. With the growing numbers in the communication channels, the numbers of audiences have also increased at a huge rate. Presently in India, journalism has become a prestigious career choice for many students. Journalism is a challenging field and it is playing a key role in the development of the nation. The present-day journalists do specializations of specific fields like finance, education, law, technology, politics, sports, and science to become unbeatable in their profession.

Eligibility Criteria to study Journalism

To get a chance to study a bachelor degree in journalism, one must complete 10+2. There are various journalism courses after 12th. While a postgraduate degree in journalism demands a graduate degree in journalism. There are institutes that also offer one-year certificate courses in journalism, the eligibility criteria are the same for that too – it asks for a 10+2 certificate.

Doing a degree course in journalism might give an individual a chance to work as a journalist, but to become a good journalist, one must have aptitude for presenting news and stories in a precise and appealing manner, which can struck the intelligent quotient of a reader, and at the same time ignites the reader’s passion to read every sentences with utmost interest.

Journalism course List

Some of the mainstream and important journalism courses are:

1. Bachelor of Mass Media and Journalism (UG, 3 years)

2. Bachelor of Communication and Journalism (UG, 3 years)

3. B.Sc. in Journalism and Mass Communication (UG, 3 years)

4. BA in Media and Communication (UG, 3 years)

5. BA in Journalism (UG, 3 years)

6. BBA in Mass Communication and Journalism (UG, 3 years)

7. MA in Journalism and Mass Communication (PG, 2 years)

8. M.Sc. in Mass Communication (PG, 2 years)

Journalism Career Options

The fields in which a journalist works are divided into two categories – Print and Electronic. The print category consists of newspapers, journals, and magazines; and the electronic category consists of television, radio, and internet.

Be it an electronic or a print medium, journalists have a bag full of career options.

Career options with Print Media

1. Correspondent

2. Feature Writer

3. Columnist

4. Proof Reader

5. Editor

6. Cartoonist

7. Reporter

8. Photojournalist

9. Illustrator

10. Critic

Career options with Electronic Media

1. Researcher

2. Broadcast Reporter

3. Presenter

Areas where Journalists work

1. News Agencies

2. Press Information Bureau

3. Legal Affairs Department

4. Television Industry

5. Newspapers

6. Circulation and Public Relations

7. All India Radio

8. Journals

9. Blogs

Pay-Scale in Journalism

One might expect a salary bandwidth of INR 12,000 – INR 25,000. With experience, the salary bandwidth increases and it can reach up to a level between INR 50,000 – INR 1,00,000.