India Hits a Century in Journalism and Media Education

It is time to celebrate the fact that we have been indulging in journalism and media education for a 100 years in our country. This is no small feat for a country like ours that attained freedom merely 72 years ago. Our legacy of education, and specifically journalism and media education is far older than that!

India’s foray into journalism and media education began in the year 1920 by none other than Dr Annie Besant, who was well known for her role in securing women’s rights in India. Dr Annie Besant was also a well known philanthropist, under whose guidance the first Journalism and Media course was established at the National University in Adyar, Madras. This course began by teaching the basics of reporting, writing and editing to fit the needs of print media in that day and age.

While the course in journalism was a part of the Bachelor degree back in the day, Dr Annie Besant soon began to base her teachings on professional journalism so that the students could graduate with complete knowledge of what happens in a newspaper office, with enough skills to contribute positively to newsroom across the world. Soon, Aligarh University followed suit to offer a course in Journalism in the year 1938.

In the last 100 years, we have seen the establishment of hundreds and thousands of newspapers and magazines all over the country. There are a number of courses being offered by Universities and by specialised institutions that teach students how to find their footing in mass communication. Let us look at some of the best jobs you can find in this industry:

• Correspondent: This professional is in charge of finding and reporting news to the various news agencies that eventually put these news pieces on the wire. This can be used by newspapers and magazines. Correspondents also work with newspapers and magazines directly to report and create pieces that can be published in their publications.
• Photographer: You can also work with a newspaper or magazine office and handle all their image requirements by taking pictures. Many photographers work independently and some even travel with correspondents and reporters to take pictures of the issue that is being reported.
• Writers: You can be a writer with a newspaper or a magazine by taking on writing jobs. You can become a features or a column writer, both of which are busy and well paying jobs that allow you to write about the various things happening in your chosen niche.
• Editing: Editors are also in great demand by well known publications. A good editor pretty much sets the tone for the newspaper or the magazine and most of them rise from the ranks before they become editors.
• Visual Communication: With the advent of various kinds of media including news channels and more, there is a demand for anchors, script writers, cameramen and much more. These are teams that help in visual communication as well. Visual communication is an art and science that helps you tell stories with the help of pictures, videos and other kinds of footage.