Abstract
In India, education and training in Mass Communication
and Journalism is about 60 years old. In pre-independence
time Punjab University of Lahore was the first to offer a
Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism course. But after
Independence the first university of Journalism which
came into existence in 1990 was Makhanlal Chaturvedi
National University of Journalism, Bhopal and the second
university of Journalism which is recently established in
2004 is Kushabhau Thakre Patrakarita Awam Jansanchar
University, Chattisgarh. Media education in India has
made its advent through western influences. The
composite culture of India incorporates Mass
Communication and Journalism in all its languages and
regions. Mass Communication and Journalism education
assumes new significance in the age of globalization and
communication.
In India at present most of the agricultural universities are
imparting training on farm communication, extension
education and development communication. Many
Universities and private institutions annually train number
of students in various aspects of Mass Communication and
Journalism including reporting, editing, photography,
videography, printing, designing, advertising, public
relations, research, web - journalism etc. Most of the
universities and colleges have provided infrastructural
facilities and manpower in audio-visual communication to
fulfill the market demand generated by explosion of
infotainment sector in 24 x 7 news channels, FM radios,
Community Radio Stations, Advertising agencies and
many more.
However, Mass Communication and Journalism teaching,
training, research and extension activities are not properly
organized on sound resources and systematic
management. Especially the teaching of communication
skills and crafts is almost haphazard. The mushrooming
mass communication institutes are churning thousands of
inefficient thereof unemployed graduates and postgraduates
every year. Campus placement is not
guaranteed anywhere in journalism course. This is not
Journalism Education at Crossroad in India:
A Swot Analysis Tasha Singh Parihar*
because there no demand but the reality is that most of the
times the media owners or the industry people are not
finding competent freshers who can be picked up directly
after passing out. The Press Commissions (1954 & 1984)
have recognized the importance of Mass Communication
and Journalism training for the overall development of the
country. Although, the second Press Commission headed
by Justice K. K. Mathew has made only a passing reference
in this regard. Proper mass communication and journalism
education and training is very essential in order to develop
media systems, professionals and activities vigorously.
Within the above framework this paper tries to scan the
challenges before journalism education in India. Its present
status and suggestions to uphold and maintain the
standard of media studies in India that can nurture the
Indian students to match the international standards.
Keywords: Mass Communication, Journalism, SWOT analysis, FM radio, Connectivity Radio
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