The media industry is evolving at a pace never seen before, driven by the rise of internet streaming, live broadcasts, and multi-camera productions. Yet, most Journalism and Mass Communication (JMC) departments in India remain rooted in outdated methods, relying heavily on theoretical teaching rather than practical industry-based training.
Today, the need is no longer for faculties who only specialize in theory, communication concepts, or research. The demand is for professionals with hands-on experience in content creation, high-quality production, and modern newsroom practices. Unfortunately, this is where a huge gap between academia and industry has emerged.
Theory is Not Enough Anymore
While academic knowledge forms the foundation, media students are graduating without the ability to write, speak, or present news professionally. Reports indicate that over 90% of journalism graduates fail to meet industry standards, especially in core areas like reporting, script writing, and on-camera presentation. Even PhD holders and UGC-NET-qualified professors often lack exposure to the real-time demands of a fast-paced newsroom or live production setup.
The Missing Link: Production & Technical Expertise
The modern media ecosystem thrives on internet broadcasting, OTT platforms, and dynamic video content, yet many JMC departments lack the infrastructure and faculty to teach multi-camera production, live streaming, and broadcast engineering. Technical experts such as TV engineers, production designers, and broadcast specialists are rarely part of academic programs, leaving students underprepared for real-world roles.
Decline in Language Skills
Language quality particularly in Hindi journalism has deteriorated drastically. Poor writing standards and lack of rigorous training are impacting not only student outcomes but also the future credibility of Indian journalism.
Beyond the Classroom: A New Learning Model
Teaching requirements have gone beyond classroom lectures. The industry now demands faculty with proven newsroom experience, real-time production skills, and the ability to mentor students in creating publishable content. Departments must integrate internships, newsroom simulations, live reporting assignments, and multi-camera production workshops to keep pace with industry needs.
Closing the Industry-Academia Gap
To bridge this widening gap, JMC departments must:
- Hire professionals with hands-on newsroom and production experience.
- Include broadcast engineers and media technologists in teaching teams.
- Shift focus to practical training in reporting, writing, and news presentation.
- Strengthen language and storytelling skills through rigorous editorial workshops.
Conclusion
The future of journalism in India depends on how quickly academic institutions adapt to these demands. Without skilled faculty, technical experts, and a production-oriented approach, journalism graduates will continue to fall short of industry expectations—jeopardizing the very quality of media content the nation consumes.
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