1-month Course in PRACTICAL JOURNALISM
(includes basic introduction to Mass–Media and Photo–Journalism)
Do you have a passion for writing but need to hone your skills? Do you desire to get into the alluring media-world? Or merely desire to gain a strong know-how of writing skills?
Your Gateway to Journalism ~ A short power-packed Course. Practical Journalism will open your heart and mind which will reflect in the use of a pen in your hand. Journalists play a major role in the development of a nation. It is through them that we get information about daily happenings in the society. Due to the enormous influence it exerts on the lives of people, journalism is also referred to as the ‘Fourth Estate’. Today, a large number of accredited journalists, together with countless stringers, critics, commentators, and others seek out, report on and publicise occurrences of consequence happening in the world around us. Their stories are carried out by numerous newspapers, magazines and periodicals, besides radio and television networks. Some of these cover a general mix of political, financial, social, and environmental and sports news. Others focus on the specific needs of professional or special interest groups.
What is the purpose of Journalism?
Good journalism informs, analyses and shapes opinion. The purpose of journalism itself is to inform and interpret, educate and enlighten the people. Journalism is concerned with the collection and dissemination of news through the print media as well as the electronic media achieved by reporting, writing, editing, photographing, broadcasting or cable casting news items.
How is Journalism classified?
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.
What are the opportunities for a career in Journalism?
The opportunities for journalists are endless as the job has become more challenging. Journalists specialize in diverse areas, such as politics, finance and economics, investigation, culture and sports for newspapers. There are a number of separate areas in which journalists work. These include:
- Newspapers, including dailies, weeklies and tabloids which carry various types of news, comments and analyses of current events.
- News Agencies, which are centralised organisations where news from different places is received and then syndicated to other sections of the press.
- Periodicals, which are publications printed at certain set intervals and contain more in-depth coverage of news and information. Most periodicals either feature news and current affairs or are focused at special interest groups such as professionals, women and children, art, computers, sports, theatre and film and so on.
- Electronic media which includes the collection and compilation of information and visual material for broadcast on radio and television.
Various elements go into the publication of a newspaper or periodical.
Reporting implies coverage of any kind of event to get a story. Wherever possible, reporters research the background of a subject before beginning investigations. They attend press conferences, conduct interviews, and visit sites of major occurrence to gain firsthand experience for their report.
News / features editing is usually a task assigned to journalists with good organising skills. This is primarily a desk job that involves little or no reporting. News and features editors control reporting staff, allocate assignments and attend editorial conferences.
Sub-editing is detailed copy-editing. Sub-editors are required to re-write stories to fit the assigned space, spruce up introductions and language, proof copy for spelling and punctuation, and sometimes give the story a ’slant’ or focus of interest.
Feature writing is more descriptive and detailed than news reporting and can cover any topic of general interest.
Columnists Like feature writing, columns too are generally handled by experienced journalists who contribute regularly to a publication. These columnists are commentators and critics, who review developments in special areas like politics, sports, consumer affairs, music, art or literature.
Photo journalists accompany reporters on assignments to take pictures that support a news story, feature or interview.
Other departments included in the publication of a newspaper or periodical are: production, advertising, legal affairs department, circulation and public relations.
What are the requirements to become a Journalist?
A flair for writing; command over the language; ability to express ideas clearly and concisely; open minded, unbiased approach; curiosity; wide-ranging interests; sensibility to atmosphere; an instinct for the story’s appeal to people; ability to sum up situations and people quickly; ability to draw people out; resourcefulness; resilience; ability to sift relevant facts from irrelevant information; stamina; courage; willingness to work hard at irregular hours and on holidays; dedication.
About this Course
This course has been designed for students who wish to pursue journalism as a career. It will be conducted over a period of three weeks, touching upon all aspects related to journalism and issues faced in the media today. Students will be given an introduction to the history and development of journalism, internationally as well as in India. Trainees will receive a thorough grounding in reporting and editing, i.e. how to follow the rules of writing in journalism. They will be taught the importance of ethics in journalism. Every aspect will be taught with examples of current news stories as well as past prominent cases, scams, coverage of wars etc. Students will be given assignments throughout the course which will be used to assess their progress. This will also give them a significant body of work to show at job interviews in the future.
Job prospects after completing this Course
After completing this Course, students will be able to pursue many avenues within the world of journalism, such as writing for newspapers, radio or television broadcasting, working for news agencies, reporting, writing for specialised magazines, internet journalism, working in the press sections of private or public sector companies, photo journalism or as free lance journalists.
Course Content
Knowing Journalism
Students will be given a brief history of Journalism in general
- Journey of Journalism
- Indian Journalism
- Function of the press
- Structure of a newspaper
Editing
Improve language skills and learn the skills of a sub editor.
- Type of language to use / avoid
- Editorial set up of paper
- Functions of sub editor
- Understanding ideology of publication
- Editing symbols
- Cutting / expanding story to fit space
- Grammar, typography, writing intros, headlines
Reporting
Will impart writing and research skills. Will learn how to approach different kinds of stories.
- Principles of reporting
- How to write a report
- Leads
- Sources of News
- Covering Press Conferences
- Beat reporting
- Following Up on stories
- Investigative reporting (Financial scams, Scandals etc) Case studies
Feature and Opinion
Inculcates skills for effective feature writing and covers the role of opinion writing.
- How it’s different from a report
- Profiles, interviews, reviews, columns etc
- The Editorial
- Prominent Indian Editors
Regional Journalism
Studying Indian language Journalism other than English
- Prominent regional newspapers
- Goan Print and Media
- Role of press in freedom struggle
Niche Journalism
Introducing students to specialized writing
- Writing for magazines
- Sports
- Health
- Women’s issues
- Financial writing
Press Laws and Ethics
How a journalist has to conduct themselves ethically
- Basic Laws
- Press as 4th estate
- How law regulates journalism
- PCI Code of conduct
- Censorship
Broadcast Journalism
All about radio and Television broadcasting
- Skills for speaking
- TV Journalism – Internationally and in India
- TV formats
- Scripting for TV
- Anchoring
Internet
Learning about the internet as a news medium
- How writing on the net is different from newspaper writing
- Providing links
- Developing your own site (Target audience, content)
- Issues of authenticity, propaganda, ethics, regressive communication
- Activist groups
News Agencies
Studying global journalism
- Different News agencies in India and World
- Modus Operandi of news Agencies
- News Agencies -A feeder to Newspaper
Generic introduction to Photojournalism
How to interpret facts and occurrences through the lens.
- Basic photography,
- News photographs,
- Feature photographs,
- Photo sequence,
- Photo Essay,
- Ethics
(For an in-depth study in Photo-Journalism, it is highly recommended to undergo the “Creative Photography” Course conducted at our Institute’s photography division “Stenodac Academy of Photography and Digital Imaging”.)
The Practical Journalism Course is conducted by our professionally qualified Trainer who has been in the field of Journalism and Mass-Media for over 3 years now. He brings her vast experience and knowledge of the industry with Career-based practical training, which will give anyone the ability to put their Course expertise to immediate use.
STENODAC INSTITUTE FOR CAREER TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION