Journalism Colleges In India

Journalism Colleges In India

Journalists have been revered as the sensory organs of the society. They are the providers on information about every event and incident taking place around us, supplying with details, and educating the masses on issues of social, humanitarian and global concern. They are the fearless, confident, undermined ones among us, who take it upon themselves to keep track of the news as it happens. Journalism Colleges in India seek to create such professionals who can set aside their personal concerns and work for the social cause; construct hard core journalists who can brave any situation and face any circumstance to sun the truth; train individuals who have a passion to inform. 

Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC):

The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), located in New Delhi, is the journalism college of great repute. Established in 1965, it functions under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. In the year 1993, it opened a branch in Dhenkanal, Orissa. To apply to IIMC, you need a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Admission to IIMC is on the basis of an entrance examination that tests your knowledge, general awareness and aptitude to be a journalist. It typically takes place in the third week of May. The test centers are located in New Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Patna, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, and Lucknow. Those who qualify in the written test, get a call for the group discussion and interview, and are admitted accordingly. The courses offered are – Post-graduate diploma course in Journalism, Journalism in English, Journalism in Hindi, Journalism in Oriya and Radio and Television Journalism.  

Jamia Milia Islamia – AJ Kidwai Mass Communication Research Centre:

Located in Delhi, and founded in 1982, the AJ Kidwai Mass Communication Research Centre offers the following journalism courses – M.A in mass communication, and M.A in convergent journalism. For the former, you require a Bachelors Degree in Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Commerce, Medicine or Engineering. Admission is on the basis of written test and interview. For the latter, you need a Bachelors Degree in Humanities, Commerce, or Science, with a minimum of 50%, and admission is based on written test, interview and portfolio presentation. 

Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication (SIMC):

SIMC is one of the many institutes that fall under the ambit of the Symbiosis International University (SIU), Pune. SIMC is known for the PG courses offered, that is Mass Communication and includes Study of Journalism, Audio-Visual Communication and Visual Communication. Admission is a two fold process, the first is the SNAP test, which is common for all institutes under SIU. Those who qualify, are called for the second round comprising of group discussion, home assignment and personal interview. SIMC has started the Bachelors of Media Studies program also since 2008. Admission is on the SET Test Performance, with final selection depending on the home assignment, GD and interview. 

Xavier Institute of Communications (XIC):

XIC is a component college of the St. Xavier’s College Society Trust of Mumbai. It was set up in 1969. It is operated by the by the Society of Jesus. The college offers a Journalism & Mass Communication course, which is at the post-graduate diploma level. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in Arts, Sciences, Commerce or Mass Media, with a minimum of 50%. admission is on the results of the written test and interview. 

Mudra Institute of Communications (MICA):

MICA is located in Ahmadabad. It offers Post Graduate Programme in Communications. Eligibility criteria to apply is bachelor’s degree with minimum of 50%. Admission is in three steps – 1st is the CAT or MAT test; 2nd is the MICA Admission Test; and final step is group exercise and interview. 

Asian College of Journalism (ACJ):

ACJ, in Chennai invites graduates in any discipline to apply. Admission is on the basis of an entrance examination, held in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Patna, Trivandrum, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, and Kochi. The entrance test examines a candidate’s English language skills, general awareness and current affairs, writing skills, analytical thinking and problem solving capability. Qualified ones are called for an interview. It is a specified journalism college only, and one of its kind in India. 

Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media:

IIJNM is located in Bengaluru. It has a recent establishment in 2001. The programs offered are Communication and Management, and Mass Communication. For those who have a bachelor’s degree, IIJNM grants a PG Diploma, and a Diploma to the under graduate level students. Admission is on the basis of the requisite details provided in the application form and the interview. 

Times School of Journalism: 

Housed in New Delhi, the Times School is run by the Times Group. It offers a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism. The eligibility condition is graduation in any discipline with minimum 50%. And admission is based on a Common Admission Test, followed by the interview round. 

Film and Television Institute of India (FTII):

FTII is a prestigious and renowned institute of India, located in Pune. Earlier in Delhi, it shifted base to Pune in the 1970s. It offers various short term courses in a number of fields related to journalism. A bachelor’s degree is essential need to apply to FTII. Admission is based on the entrance examination. 

Pioneer Media School:

The institute is governed by the media group Pioneer. The PG program offered in journalism grants a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism (PGDJ). Those who have a graduation degree are eligible to apply. At the UG level, it offers a Bachelor of Journalism (BJ). This is a three year course. There are two other programs that do not fall under core journalism but related to it – Post Graduate Diploma in TV Direction and Production (PGDTP) and Certificate Course in Radio and Television Production (CRTP).

Journalism Colleges in India are ample. And the student enrollment is rocketing. The best journalism colleges in India however, helps prepare and mould the best in this field.

How To Be A Sports Broadcaster

How To Be A Sports Broadcaster

Sports Broadcasting is the coverage of sports events on any of the mediums of mass communication, be it television, radio, newspaper, etc, by a commentator, who witnesses the game either by being present on the scene or via some medium.  

To be a Sports Broadcaster, you should always bear in mind that this is a profession where your communication and writing skills, knowledge about sports, and networking ability will be of more value than a degree acquired from a journalism college. It does fall under the ambit of Journalism, and there are a number of good colleges all over the world, that specifically have courses and train students in sports broadcasting. It is different from other forms of broadcasting, in the sense that it involves being witness to a game, identifying its details and understanding deeply what is taking place. A person who is not apt in doing so, can hardly be a good broadcasting professional. 

There are several ways to be a sports broadcaster. You can teach yourself or get enrolled into a school. The former would mean that you have to make an effort to study and understand sports. You can read books, sports journals, sports magazines, watch sports channels, surf the internet, and be in constant consultation with experts. And it requires strategy analysis. 

Job opportunities galore. Sports interests all worldwide, and is a big business, passion and activity. There are dedicated newspapers and television channels. Sporting events, of all kinds, thus have to be captured to the pining fans. So the demand for expert sports broadcasters was present always, and is ever increasing. A job with a good channel or in print, sets the base for a successful career. And that ensures you are remunerated highly and can command fame. It only requires a lot of hard work and dedication. You should have the stamina to sit through a match, not only enjoying it, but exploiting every single shot of it for professional upliftment. The better you are at noting down the minutest of details that others may miss, and capture the crucial and best moments of a game, the more chances of your being in the coveted list of broadcasters. 

Sports, if your passion, then this is a career option that can turn it into your ideal professional choice.

Top Qualities Needed In Public Relations

Public Relations

Excellent communication

It is all about communicating, verbal and non-verbal, face to face and otherwise. Communication with different individuals, with organizations, with managers, media people, etc. If you cannot communicate effectively, your message will remain unreachable. A shy, introverted person should not get into this field. You have to be communicative, an extrovert and know what, when, why, and how to speak. People Skills are another requisite – how to handle, manage, command, and woo them. Communication is one way.

Looking beyond

A PRO should have an eye for detail. Research and study of the client, his life, or company profile have to be such that you are able to delve deeper and extract information that will benefit the client and may have been hidden from public view for long. You have to look beyond the profile, the glitter of the individual, and the vastness of business, success, and fame. Only then minute details will surface that will give an edge to your work and strategy.

Seeking answers

If there is a question or query, a blank in the facts or figures, or some clarification that you require, try to get the answers at the earliest. This has two-fold benefits – one, it will help in the better formulation of publicity plans, and secondly will prevent any mistakes or miscommunication that may prove harmful to the client. So before you start work, clarify all doubts.

Troubleshooting

Be prepared for any fallback, or crisis situation. Many times, though you may have done your best to create a positive image and succeeded, there can be a crisis. There may be negative publicity ignited by a rival, or something can go wrong with your strategy. At such times, take the situation head-on and resolve it immediately. Work, consult, make plans, take emergency measures, change the whole publicity plan, and anything that may be needed to correct the situation. Learn to take up challenges.

Multitasking

As a PR professional, you will be involved in more than one area of work at the same time. You will have to handle people, accounts, clients, customers, the media, etc.

Commitment to client

The client entrusts all to you. You should fulfill this with wholehearted commitment and dedication. You should have integrity and be honest.

Meet deadlines

Meet deadlines at all costs. This is essential not only for your client but for your career, growth, and success. This industry runs on deadlines, and your failure to meet them may prove fatal.

Command trust

Trust is earned only over a period of time. Your client trusts you with his image, his company’s image, and with all secrets. He is confident of your capabilities and the results of that. If you want to stick to this field, you will have to be able to gain such trust, maintain it, and build relationships that will prove stepping stones to success.

Effective Planner

Be a planner, one who can foresee and predict, and act accordingly beforehand. Plan events, public appearances, public communications, the schedule of the client. Plan your work, and steps to be taken. Plan and implement at the right time. An effective planner knows the value of the right time. You will learn to sense the right time.

Media savvy

Learn about the media industry and get comfortable with all forms of it – television, radio, print, etc. Know how to deal with each of them, how to communicate through them, and use them to your benefit. Social networking and reaching the masses through media is the best way for those professionals who understand the intricacies, strengths, and weaknesses of the media.