Journalism & Mass Communication: A Road to a Booming Media Industry!

With the ever-evolving global trends, subjects such as journalism and mass communication are gaining more traction and attention among students, leaving the old-school conventional subjects miles behind. The abrupt explosion of communication technology and the media worldwide has fueled the process’s gearing up. With hundreds of social media platforms flooded with information palettes along with the existing ones: newspapers, audio-visual media, magazines, etc., the current time is now seeing a dire demand for proficient individuals related to journalism and mass communication, making Journalism a highly sought-after profession. If covering reality has always been your aim, then a BA Journalism degree is all that you need.

According to a recent report by FICC-EY 2024, the Media and Entertainment Sector (M&E) in India is projected to witness a whopping 10.2% growth rate and cross the INR 2.55 trillion mark in 2024 alongside a 10% CAGR rate, which by end-2026 could touch on INR 3.08 trillion. The preceding fiscal year has seen sectoral growth of 8%, hitting INR 2.32 trillion in 2023.

Over the years, Journalism and Mass Communication have gone through so many changes. The way information was passed changed from the early handwritten pamphlets and newsletters to the time when the printing press was brought to the world in the 15th century.

Coming to the 20th century, it witnessed the rise of television and radio, revolutionizing how news was delivered and consumed. Now, the era commencing from the 1990s onwards, “the Internet Era”, marked yet another seismic shift, ushering in the age of digital media, instant communication, as well as social networks.

With an increased demand for authentic information and constant technological advancements, the future of graduates pursuing BA Journalism and Mass Communication looks promising. Advancements in artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and virtual reality are assumed to revolutionize news reporting as well as audience engagement.

Further, the global nature of the internet enables cross-border journalism, promoting a better interlinked and informed global citizenry.

Presently, the domain of Journalism and Mass Communication is categorized by numerous key trends:

1. Digital Dominance
   Conventional media platforms are quickly being entrusted by advancement and, in some cases, are being replaced by digital media. Online news portals, social media, blogs, etc., have become the major sources of information for tons of people.

2. Multimedia Journalism
   The amalgamation of text, audio, video, and interactive components in storytelling is becoming paramount. Professionals are now anticipated to be versatile and adept in multiple media productions.

3. Ethical Journalism
   The world nowadays is flooded with misinformation and “fake news,” so there is a renewed emphasis on ethical journalism and fact-checking to balance out credibility as well as public trust.

4. Immersive storytelling
   To create AR, VR and 360-degree video advancements, the latest technologies are being used to build immersive journalism experiences that enable audiences to immerse themselves in news events and stories virtually.

5. Data Journalism
   The utilization of data analytics and visualization tools to reveal and present stories is on the rise. This kind of journalism helps in providing more in-depth and fact-based reporting.

Once you complete your BA Journalism and Mass Communication, it opens a wide range of career opportunities across multiple sectors. Some of the potential career options are-

For individuals keenly interested in information dissemination, media ethics, and storytelling, a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication can offer the perfect foundation to create a significant mark in the media sector. It is not just an academic qualification but a pathway to comprehending and influencing the world via the media lens. With its history, current advancement, and lucrative future, this field offers a rewarding and impactful career.