'Newspapers have become more important to the average man than the scriptures'
-Mahatma Gandhi
The Origin of the Department
The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication was started in response to a felt need for Careers in Writing at the Undergraduate level in 2003 the fast expanding City of Destiny, Visakhapatnam. Ever since, the Department has experienced a considerable demand for the Subject, since the challenging career opportunities are numerous for the young graduates of the 21st Century.
The Department provides an undergraduate program within a liberal arts context that leads to a bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communications in combination with English Language & Literature and Psychology. The students are prepared for an increasingly multinational, multicultural professional work environment.
Emerging areas in the Curriculum
The Department offers papers in the vital and emerging areas of Journalism like Print Media, Electronic Media, Newswriting, Newsreporting, Advertising, Public Relations, Computer Applications as well as important modules in yellow journalism, responsible journalism etc.
Careers in Journalism
Journalism is concerned with collection and dissemination of news through the print media as well as the electronic media. This involves various areas of work like reporting, writing, editing, photographing, broadcasting or cable casting news items.
Journalism is classified into two on the basis of media- (i) Print Journalism and (ii) Electronic (Audio/Visual) Journalism. Print Journalism includes newspapers, magazines and journals. In Print journalism one can work as editors, reporters, columnists, correspondents etc. Electronic journalism includes Working for Radio, Television and the Web. The Department prepares students for both these types of media.
Publications by the Department
SAN JOSE HERALD - The Department has been instrumental in bringing out the “Lab Journal’ called ‘SAN JOSE HERALD’ which has contributions of the students of the Department. It is the Newsletter for the College since all the college and departmental activities are reported by the students.
LEARNING BY DOING
The students freelance creative articles in newspapers and magazines and report on events in the college during the event and after.
Regular visits to the Press (The Hindu, Yo Vizag, Deccan Chronicle) and Electronic Media (AIR, RAINBOW FM) lends a practical exposure to the students.
Seminars and workshops organized enable the all round development of the student’s personality.
Summer Internship
The students are required to do their One Month Summer Internship in a media based organisation, a Newspaper organised or a Television Channel and write articles or bylines which are assessed by the Head of the Department. The students are required to maintain a Reporting Diary where they document the writing tasks they have undertaken chronologically and also submit a Documentation Project on the firm.
The students have done their Internship in Print & TV Journalism areas like:
- The Indian Express, Hyderabad
- Indian Express, Visakhapatnam.
- Bay News – The Voice of Vizag
- The Hindu
- Yo Vizag
- The Red Magazine
- DeccanChronicle
- CNN/IBN
- HSBC Internships - Corporate Communications
- DNA, Bangalore
Many students over the years have done freelancing successfully as Radio Jockeys in
A number of students have hosted important shows in the city and participated in many public programs eg. Sarita Tulsija (2009 – 2012) who is a popular Host and an Event Organiser and Manager in the changing event profile of Visakhapatnam.
Many students are working online for Content development for various portals and companies. The opportunities for journalists are endless and at the same time the job has become more challenging, as the new world is proving the adage that "the pen (and the camera) is mightier than the sword." A Career in journalism is a prestigious profession as well as a highly paid one.
Ms. Bonica Das
M.Sc.
Incharge of the Department
