Journalism

As a journalist you will often be working for a particular type of media organization like newspaper, television, radio, website etc. You may have to go to various places to report recent events and present them in a very captivating style. You will be also involved in investigating things and preparing stories.

What do a Journalist do?

A journalist work on gathering information, production and distribution of reports on recent events.They inform the public about news and events happening around the world.They report the news for media such as newspapers, magazines, websites, television, radio, social media etc.

What does a typical day at work involve?

The works of a journalist may vary according to the area specilastions ;These may include

  • Checked Conducting meetings and interviews with people in a range of different circumstances
  • Checked Making and maintaining contacts with different areas to ensure news flow, such as from local communities, police, government sector, organizations etc
  • Checked Attending press conference and reporting news
  • Checked Travel to different places for making stories
  • Checked Attending various types of events such as public meetings, court proceedings, publication events, sporting events etc
  • Checked Discussing news and stories with editor and journalists and accept recommendations
  • Checked Presenting news and controlling discussions and debates in the news channels
  • Checked Writing and uploading news content and stories for websites
  • Checked Working as live reporter from different ranges of circumstances

What areas can journalist specialise in ?

This is a specialisation focus on the studies on Television and Visual media. It provides basic training for working in the visual media industry.
This specialisation equips a journalist to work in the print media industry like newspapers, journals, magazines, publications etc.
It focuses on camera productions, applications for camera, lens, lighting, composition, audio recording, editing all other technical aspects of video and radio production.
New Media Studies is a novel discipline which focuses on the newly emerged media platforms like social networking sites and Mobile Journalism( MoJo) applications and its various aspects.
Public relations and advertising industry work as a bridge between an organization and the public. It works in creating and maintaining a favorable public image for the product, service or the organization.

How to become a Journalist?

Step 1
Take any stream at +2 level

You can choose any stream at +2 level for doing higher studies in journalism. Anyway it would be beneficial for you to choose Humanities with Journalism which will enable you to perform well in the course in future.


Co-curricular

Participating in youth festivals and competitions, especially in debates, review and essay writings at school level will help you to improve your creativity and language skills to excel in the field of Journalism.

Step 2
Take Bachelor’s in Journalism

The common course offered at the UG level in this area is BCJ (Bachelor of Communication and Journalism BA Mass Communication. The duration of course is 3 years. There are one to two year diploma courses are also available in Journalism.)


Note: Internships

You can do short term internships in Media and update your knowledge through reading and discussions.

Step 3
Take Master’s in Journalism with specialisation of choice

After completing UG you can go for a Masters in Journalism. You can either go for MCJ (Master of Communication and Journalism) or MA Mass Communication with specialisation of choices like visual media, print media, media studies etc.. The courses are of two years with compulsory internships.


Note :Diploma

There are one year post graduate diploma courses are also available in this field.

Step 4
Go for doctoral level studies

After pursuing Master’s you can go for doctoral studies. If your profile (including projects, research papers, and internships) and research proposal is excellent you will get admission for M Phil and PhD.

Journalism Colleges

Name State District Type Website Course

Requirements for masters in journalism

Requirements for admission into a PG course in one of the top institutions to help you get an overall picture

India ( for admission into M.A. Journalism And Mass Communication at the English and Foreign Language University,Hyderabad)

  • A Pass in the Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with 55% marks
  • Based on the Entrance Test
  • Based on the Interview

Foreign (for admission into Master's programme in Journalism, Media and Globalisation(Joint Degree ) at the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands)

  • A Bachelor’s degree or it is equivalent in a relevant subject(Arts/Humanities and Social Sciences are by default considered to be relevant)
  • The equivalent of at least three months' full-time work as a professional journalist
  • English Language requirements : IELTS score of 7.0 or above

To see the entrance exams, scholarships and UG admission details, click here

Skills Required

Written and oral communication skills

Journalists should have good written and communication skills which make them able to write news and stories in an effective manner and help them to communicate with different range of people.

Ability to work under pressure

The ability to work under pressure is important for Journalists have to complete their works within deadlines and they may face threats from different people.

Versatility

Journalists must be ready to cover any subject at a moment’s notice. This forces them to become “mini experts” on any topic thrown their way. They dig deep into the gray area of a story with an eagerness to learn and understand.

Team work

Journalists should have the ability to be a part of the team and work with a lot of people as they might be involved in covering projects.

Industries

  • Checked Newspaper
  • Checked Television
  • Checked Radio
  • Checked Online Media
  • Checked Public Relations
  • Checked Advertisement
  • Checked Entertainment
  • Checked Education

Top Companies

  • Checked The Hindu
  • Checked Indian express
  • Checked Times of india
  • Checked NDTV
  • Checked CNN
  • Checked Al Jazeera
  • Checked BBC
  • Checked Malayala Manorama
  • Checked Mathrubhumi

Resources to make use of

Useful links

Videos

BBC Journalism Skills: Principles of good writing for news
BBC Journalism Skills: Principles of good writing for news BBC world affairs correspondent Mr. Allan Little speaks about the basic writing skills of a journalist.
How to Be a Great Journalist
How to Be a Great Journalist A video from Carl Bernstein on the purpose of journalism from Big Think
Rajdeep Sardesai, India Today On His Journey to Journalism at UpGrad Talks
Rajdeep Sardesai, India Today On His Journey to Journalism at UpGrad Talks Famous Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai talks about on his journey as a journalist in India, the importance of continuous learning and scope of online education in an interview given to UpGrad.