Mapping into the stream of Journalism and mass communication

Today, the world is witnessing an extraordinary and unparalleled burst in communication technology and media. All limitations have been surpassed, and the entire global community looks to have brought closer and together into one whole integrated entity.This has become one of the reasons that mass-communication and journalism, as a field of study, and as a career, becomes so enviable and central. Journalism and mass communication field is considered to be the root of all other forms of power to educate, express and share with people in the existing society.

Mass communication is a contemporary reality and the media it uses covers all aspects of human life. Career prospect in Mass Communication and journalism is a great deal of job satisfaction and expression of creativity for the people associated with this stream.

Presently, Mass communication and Journalism is one of the attractive careers for young people looking for creative opportunities in their lives. This stream definitely  empower one to have a say in front of a national and international audience, it is also considered as  one of the four pillars of our democracy which in return gives a lot of supremacy to influence ideas and opinion in the public space. This is true that profession in media is competing and challenging job but it is also measured as one of the most versatile fields in the job market. As this field enables to brings newness every hour, every minute and every second of the day.

 Today, youngsters are fast inclined and tempted by the plentiful development and rewarding opportunities given and acknowledged in media. Newspaper, magazines, TV, Radio, cinema, and web world are the important streams of media. These medium of communication is been tuned up by so many people for latest updates and news. Indeed, Media plays a vital role in spreading, sharing and exchanging information about the recent events, incidents happen in the region and around the world. Journalism and mass communication field in India has a very vital role to play. India is considered world's biggest democracy and therefore unrestricted and vibrant media is an essential organ of any democracy.

With the advent of online media and privatization of media, the mass communication and journalism world has gone through a complete makeover.The face of journalism has shaped differently with the emergence of social media. The Websites such as twitter, Facebook, and Linked-In are turning out to be an important forum of news sources for many of their followers.These online forums are able to secure the most sought after jobs in social media for young aspirations who are looking to make their career in social media. Even professional blogging, web design, multimedia design, or social media management can be other opportunities for the young people to do something different from mainstream journalism and mass communication.

However, with technology playing bigger role in our lives, all professions related to journalism and mass communication require capable people who should work fast and can efficiently send across the information to a whole range of audience. Even though with the multiplying of blogs, it is commonly claimed that ‘anyone’ can become a journalist, a near reexamination of reality verifies that only those with expert training make the grade and turn out better than the rest in this field.

Career prospects in mass communication and journalism is likely to grow as not less than 50 more  news channels are expected to  come up in next five years. Due to increasing number of mass media, the news and entertainment job opportunities are abundant for trained professionals in various roles - particularly in journalism.

Like any career option, mass communication too has positive features as well as a dismissive side too. A career in mass communication requires commitment, dedication and detriment of private time for the sake of staying on day and night, top or front,and particularly in TV news industry. As journalist may have to work day in and day out to get breaking news.

In the present juncture, mass communication as a career provides job fulfillment, name and fame and an experiment to live with.

Ms. Garima Malhotra

Assistant Professor

Dept. of Communication Studies