In the digital era, when the world has shifted towards social media, thinking about journalism and mass communication seems like an outdated topic. Today, you can read about the latest news and headlines by following Instagram handles, Twitter (now “X”), and LinkedIn social media platforms.
In such media hype, the question arises: does journalism and mass communication still matter?
The simple answer is yes. This field is highly significant if it’s done by reputed journalism and mass communication colleges.
But how? That’s the core topic of this article. As you continue, we will explore the role of journalism and mass communication in this rapidly evolving digital age.
We will study the impact of digital media, associated challenges, notable colleges for journalism and mass communication, futuristic trends, and much more.
So, with a curiosity-driven mind and soul, let’s proceed straight in!
Evolution of Journalism and Mass Communication
Print-form Journalism:
Journalism and mass communication have consistently transformed since the advent of humanity. Gone are the days when news was exchanged through print forms, such as newspapers, magazines, and pamphlets. For a brief stint of headlines, people visited bookstores to purchase the latest editions of these print forms.
They used to get up early in the morning just to wait for the newspapers to be thrown towards their windows and balconies. The time when the person opened the newspaper’s first page was like heaven on earth. The excitement levels were at their pinnacles.
The process of delivering these newspapers started very early in the day. After the newspapers were successfully delivered, the next day’s process started. This cycle continues for all days of the month through the tireless efforts of the journalists.
The Shift Towards Digital Form:
Traditional journalism was far more than newspapers and magazines. As time passed, radios and televisions took over, making it easier to get real-time updates about the latest global happenings. These methods were well-established and trusted, but they were slower and less interactive than modern standards.
Digital Evolution:
Then came August 15, 1995, when the internet was officially introduced in the form of Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (now Tata Communication). News sharing became far more accessible, interactive, and seamless.
This allowed people to engage with the news in real time without waiting for the headlines to be broadcast on television and radio.
So, during free times when you wish to know about the latest happenings, simply open the Android/iOS app, website, or social media platform and read tailor-fit news according to your preferred subject (national, international, state, finance, sports, entertainment, business, etc.). Thanks to the professionals who have completed their formal education from the reputed Journalism and Mass Communication colleges.
Impact of Digital Media on Journalism
24/7 News Cycle:
With the rise of digital media, news is now available 24/7. This means that the news is updated, and individuals can access this information anytime without compromising on quality or detail. Moreover, it is backed by the latest statistics and surveys to comprehend the news in a credible manner.
However, there is a downside to it. The constant news makes it challenging for journalists to report instantly and bring the latest news. This issue can affect the accuracy and precision of the news. But as newer technologies emerge, you will be less likely to experience such issues.
Social Media:
Social media is a boon for society. Whenever news is shared on social media handles like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, users can offer their personal views through likes, comments, and shares. This helps journalists (particularly those who have completed masters in Journalism and Mass Communication in India) assess public opinions about the topic. This way, they can bring more customized news to the audiences that touch their pain points.
It allows journalists to reach and interact with their audiences. Replying to users’ feedback builds trust and credibility with them. Moreover, users can offer better knowledge and insights about the particular topic next time.
Citizen Journalism:
Citizen journalism, as the name suggests, is news shared with social media users. This facet is possible due to the internet’s dominance, where users can report news events through their smartphones, laptops, and tablets. However, it is harder for the user to verify credible sources and ensure correct information.
Challenges Facing Modern Journalism
There are always two coins. Modern journalism, which seems valuable for society, comes with specific challenges. These challenges require our quick attention.
The most common challenges you encounter in your daily life are fake news and misinformation. From the word, you can understand what it is. With the rise of social media, fake news spreads like wildfire in the Amazon jungle. How rapidly can it spread across all societal levels through a single triggering spark?
Let’s understand this with an example. You hear the news on television that India won the Kabaddi World Cup by a long margin. The whole country is celebrating. But suddenly, while scrolling through your social media feed, you come across a post mentioning that the World Cup final was fixed.
It’s a highly emotional moment, so you believe in it. As a result, you forward it to your friends and family members. They send it to their acquaintances. Within a day, the news is shared with over one million people.
When the news reaches those Kabaddi players’ parents, they suffer a lot of humiliation. The players’ reputation is tarnished amidst the glory of a World Cup win without doing anything wrong. The joy of winning the one-in-a-lifetime moment, the World Cup, becomes a sad story.
A single act by the mastermind profoundly impacts the whole image of journalism and mass communication.
However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are a wealth of challenges associated with journalism and mass communication. However, pursuing them at an established Journalism and Mass Communication college does not relate to their significance in modern society.
The Role of Journalism and Mass Communication Colleges
Journalism is valuable for society because the abundance of Journalism and Mass Communication colleges incorporate their dedication and expertise into the course curriculum. This approach helps students gain practical experience in the field and become job-ready when they enter the corporate landscape.
International journalism bodies accredit these colleges, so you can be sure you have enrolled in the right course. Moreover, they are equipped with advanced studios, labs, and high-end equipment to help you face the real-world environment concerning journalism.
When you begin the course, you start with the more accessible and fundamental subjects. As you move forward toward next semester, the curriculum goes to a more advanced level. That is where you learn about practical techniques and methodologies related to journalism and mass communication.
These techniques will enhance your problem-solving skills. Problem-solving skills are the most demanding skill today, not just for journalism but for any profession. They help organizations solve intricate, long-pending issues about their projects.
According to a report, over 90% of HR professionals affirmed that problem-solving skills are crucial for success in today’s workforce.
Apart from this, these Journalism and Mass Communication colleges help develop the soft skills relevant to the field. The soft skills include communication, public speaking, research, analytical thinking, and presentation skills. Completing your course at these colleges will equip you with soft skills vital for career progression.
In addition, each college curriculum comes with regular tests (besides the end-term examination) to help you remain on the constant learning curve. The regular tests help you learn about the course in a structured way.
Best Colleges for Journalism and Mass Communication
Choosing the best college for Journalism and Mass Communication for your journalism course is more important than you think.
According to a recent study, graduates from accredited journalism schools earn, on average, 25% more in their first job than those from non-accredited programs.
With time, a wealth of journalism schools have evolved. Therefore, choosing the right institute that aligns with your career goals and provides the appropriate curriculum to make you job-ready for future opportunities is essential.
To select the right college, you need to keep in mind the particular checklists for transparent decision-making. Those factors are illustrated below:
Accreditation:
Check if the journalism college is accredited by international bodies such as the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC), the European Journalism Training Association (EJTA), and the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC).
Curriculum:
Assess whether their curriculum covers all aspects, including digital media, broadcast journalism, and public relations. You can refer to the university’s prospectus, which you can download directly from their website.
Faculty:
In the prospectus, check for the relevant faculties. Go through their bio and see if they are suitably qualified. Make sure to read the bios of their top-management faculties to assess the course curriculum.
Facilities and Resources:
Apart from the curriculum, check their state-of-the-art facilities, such as newsrooms, broadcasting studios, and editing suites, for practical student exposure.
Internship and Job Placement Opportunities:
Know about their placement rates and robust internship programs. This will help you assess their career support and industry connections.
Alumni Network:
Lastly, connect with their alumni on professional social media platforms like LinkedIn and learn about their experiences with the course and the institute.
Future Trends in Journalism and Mass Communication
The Journalism and Mass Communication field has a promising future if completed by the renowned college for journalism and mass communication. This fact is relevant, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), or, to be more precise, generative AI. With just an informal chat through chatbots, you can gather all the customized and latest news in the realm of your preferred domain.
However, as discussed earlier, this real-time news update can spread misinformation and propaganda.
To combat this issue, an abundance of advanced technologies are emerging, particularly in data journalism. Data journalism is a rising field that can gather news and insights based on the millions of gigabytes of data that have been generated.
This form of journalism is accurate and follows ethical standards, as all news comes with facts and statistics.
Apart from this, a mobile-first strategy is one prospect that might see a steep graphical rise. This is especially true given the continuous dependency on smartphones. All the latest news can be sent as a notification to users.
Whenever breaking news comes, for instance, about the retirement of a legendary athlete or an earthquake in some region, it instantly pops up on your mobile. You can access this information even while the phone is locked, making your work seamless and hassle-free.
Membership revenue models are also gaining traction with time. One is subscribing to a particular OTT platform, like Amazon Prime or Netflix, where you can access all the news content that is generally not accessible to non-paid users. The positive side of the technology is that it can minimize the spread of fake news, helping to cultivate authentic and credible news.
Conclusion
Journalism and mass communication remain a significant part of this digital era as they adapt to new technologies and changing audience behavior patterns.
Despite social media’s increasing prominence, it’s a myth that there are no more roles for trained journalists. Quality education from renowned universities allows learners to use digital tools to report correctly and interestingly.
Moreover, future trends like data journalism, incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), mobile-first strategies, and membership revenue models will influence the future. These developments enhance news reliability and access, thus minimizing misinformation and creating a more informed society.
Thanks for reading the entire blog. We hope you find it informative and value-driven. To learn more about the field, contact our team at AAFT, one of India’s esteemed Journalism and Mass Communication colleges.
So, let’s keep flourishing together as a team of journalists to leave an indelible mark on the chapters of success and progression.