Print media are lightweight, portable, disposable publications printed on paper and circulated as physical copies in forms we call books, newspapers, magazines, and newsletters. They hold informative and entertaining content that is of general or special interest. They are published either once or daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly.
Print Media is the oldest form of media. But even today it is growing from strength to strength. Around 4000 small, medium, and large newspapers and magazines across the county are registered with the Registrar of Newspapers every year. This indicates that it is a growing sector where employment opportunities are increasing with each passing day.
Most of the young aspirants who want to enter the print media prefer reporting, but newspapers and magazines also seek young talent as photographers, artists, editors, computer experts, librarians, and cartoonists. Students who have writing ability, graphics or photo skills, curiosity, and determination and who are well prepared by education and training have less difficulty in finding a good opening in the print media. The well-known areas to work are Editing, Reporting, Freelancing, Writing Columns, Writing Comments, Drawing Cartoons, Working as an Artist, Photojournalism, etc.
To opt for Print Media as a career one may attain a bachelor's degree or a post-graduate degree or diploma in journalism or mass communication. One can opt for Courses in journalism in English, Hindi, or any other regional languages. Specialized courses in selected fields like page composition, layout designing, and photojournalism are also offered. Apart from the professional degrees, other skills required are a good command of the language, good general knowledge, and the ability to collect information and report events quickly.
These day’s most Indian universities offer both under-graduate and post-graduate programs in journalism. Graduates of any stream are eligible to opt for a post-graduate degree or diploma program in journalism.
Some of the well-known institutes offering journalism courses are Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi, Mass Communication Research Centre (MCRC) of Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan units at Mumbai, Delhi, Manipal Institute of Communication, Manipal, Times of India School of Journalism, Mumbai, Pioneer Media School, New Delhi, The Manorama School of Communication, Kottayam, St. Xavier’s Institute of Communication, Mumbai, Symbiosis International University, Pune, etc.
Besides this, there are certain traits that a budding journalism graduate needs to know while opting for journalism as a career. A good journalist should have? a keen interest in people-related issues, an inquisitive nature, the ability to meet deadlines, and outstanding communication skills. Basically, if you are not interested in what people have to say, their emotions, and their achievements, you simply cannot function as a journalist.
A journalist can work in various capacities in print media. The print has several subcategories like newspapers, magazines, and news agencies, and also internet-based news portals like Indiatimes.com, Rediff.com, Sifi.com, Tehelka.com, etc.
In a newspaper house, fresh journalism graduates usually join as trainees at the news desk or the editing desk. After a couple of years, they get transferred to reporting. However, exceptions to this rule are common and some people join straightaway as trainee reporters also.
The hierarchy for reporters in most of the newspaper houses is rough as follows - trainee, staff reporter correspondent, principal reporter/ senior reporter/ correspondent, chief reporter, and special representative/ correspondent.
Working for a news agency is slightly different because of the tougher deadlines - not at the end of the day but right now. The ABC of news agency reporting seeks accuracy, brevity, and clarity. The format of writing is very straightforward and to the point and does not allow any scope for speculation or analysis within the news story. Agencies like the Press Trust of India (PTI) and the United News of India (UNI) are 24 hours open and their offices are not closed even on Republic or Independence Day or on big festivals, which are holidays for the newspapers.
Source: Employment News