Opportunities in Media, Journalism and mass communication - Dayananda Sagar University

Decoding the Power of Words: A Journey into the Heart of Journalism

The Indian economy is growing and the marketplace is expanding in size. Like most democracies across the world, India too is opening up in terms of culture and consumption is increasing as the middle class is getting affluent, decade on decade. More goods and services are available to wealthy Indians who now have more disposable income to enjoy a better quality of life. This along with the explosion and penetration of digital media, has given rise to huge and never-before opportunities in media and entertainment.

The paradigm of information and entertainment has shifted and more content than ever before is now being produced, distributed and consumed. From large print and broadcast houses to individuals, from paper and magazines to digital devices and from periodic news gathering to real-time collection and transmission, the news and entertainment model has experienced more changes than ever before in history. This opens up never before opportunities to those wishing to pursue careers in media and journalism. Let’s look at some of the new age opportunities.

Traditional journalism has been confined to print and broadcast spaces - reporters and editors in newspapers and magazines and presenters and editors in television. Journalism and media have evolved to become more vibrant and multi-dimensional.

The College of Journalism & Mass Communication (CJMC), part of Dayananda Sagar University under the Dayananda Sagar Group of Institutions, offers a four-year BA (Hons) programme that equips you with the skills required to pursue a promising career in the new age media and journalism landscape. Students have the opportunity to explore three specializations, including Journalism, Video Production, and Advertising & PR. Additionally, they can select two out of the three minor specializations: English Literature, Psychology, and Theatre.

After receiving basic training in all modules over the first two years, students get to choose 1 of the 3 specializations and major in that area. A two-month-long internship at the end of the 3rd year which the college will assist in helping you find, could actually see you getting a job to begin with. The 4th year is to help you round off your theoretical and practical skills with Honours and Research Honours options.

While print is facing some challenges as more people continue to get their news online and on their handheld devices, newspapers are adapting to a paid format with specialised articles focusing on analysis and unique insights, instead of regular news. So this does open up opportunities for journalists who have a keen eye for interesting topics and well-collated research. Those wishing to pursue this career must hone their writing skills to succeed.

Currently, the broadcast industry is driven by news, reality TV, long format entertainment such as television serials, short films and feature based content. Those wishing to make a career in the broadcast space have sufficient opportunities as TV hosts, news anchors, comperes of shows and presenters. As they grow, they can put together their own shows, drive their own content and have slots allotted to them as is the case with several leading names in the industry. A presentable personality and excellent communication skills are essential to make a career in this space.

Digital is by and large the largest growing space and opportunities for journalists and any other kind of content creators, are virtually unlimited. The growth of a medium is determined by the ad spends and digital media has surpassed television for the first time, securing a 44% share in 2023, according to Exchange4media. This is followed by television with 32%, and print media with 20%. It is estimated that by 2024, digital media is anticipated to contribute half of the total advertising spends.

The number of people consuming digital media content in India has been growing exponentially. An estimated 600 million Indians access WhatsApp every month. As of January 2024, India had the largest YouTube audience by far, approximately 462 million users were engaging with the social video platform. This was followed by the US which had around 239 million viewers.

According to Forbes Advisor, the active Social Media penetration in India is 33.4%. Studies show that in the beginning of 2023, there were 398 million users in India of 18 years or older, which is 40.2 percent of the nation’s population. Also, 67.5% of all internet users in India used at least one social networking platform.

There are various other changes on the technology front. Advancements in AI and ML will enable broadcasters to deliver personalised content. Viewers can curate content playlists to suit their preferences. These would open up newer opportunities for journalists.

So students wishing to pursue careers in media and journalism, can look forward to exciting times ahead with more freedom, technology and more importantly, an unlimited access to an audience. They can evolve to become independent broadcasters, newscasters, sports analysts, financial analysts, social commentators, entertainers, product reviewers, influencers, food bloggers… virtually anything. The opportunities to grow and earn are limitless.

The College of Journalism and Mass Communication (CJMC) at DSU offers specialized tracks in Print, Television, Digital Journalism, Advertising, and more, preparing industry-ready media professionals. With state-of-the-art facilities and faculty members from top media houses, including chief photographers, award-winning television producers, accomplished advertising agency heads, and national newspaper editors, students gain practical experience and adaptability for the media industry. Alongside core courses, students explore Liberal Arts subjects like English Literature and Psychology, fostering personal and academic discipline. CJMC emphasizes ethics and values while equipping students with cutting-edge skills in new media.

Furthermore, CJMC offers students the chance to showcase their media creations in newspapers and journals, alongside providing internships in top media establishments. These hands-on opportunities augment students' practical understanding and industry networks, preparing them for thriving careers in journalism and mass communication.