Careers in Electronic Media

One of the biggest means of entertainment is television and radio. Although utilities of radio have dipped down a little bit, still with the emergence of FM radios in various cities, the popularity remains intact. According to a government study more than eighty percent of the households in the country have TV sets and more than two thirds people in metros have cable connection which is even spreading rapidly to smaller towns and sub-urban areas through DTH services. Undoubtly electronics media is playing a significant role in nation’s making by disseminating information to the people and also being an alternative public grievances redressal mechanism.

Course Details
Electronics Journalism course is a sub-group which comes under the general Journalism/Masscom course. There are several Bachelor's/Post-Graduate degrees in journalism/masscom. Minimum eligibility for Bachelor degree in journalism is 10+2 and for Post graduate degree courses a Bachelor degree in journalism. The duration of these courses differ form institutes to institute. Moreover some institutes also provide one year certificate courses in journalism for which eligibility is 10+2. There are also courses in specialized areas of journalism like sports, television, photo, press law etc.

Career Prospects
The proliferation of TV channels particularly a number of 24/7 channels have opened up career opportunities in electronics media. Career options are there in public broadcasting agencies like Doordarshan and All India Radio or in private broadcasters. One can be a field reporter, writer, editor, researcher, correspondent and in-studio anchor, presenter and news analysts. These professionals also can work in a number of fields like direction, production, camera, graphics, editing, sound, programme research, script writing etc. Moreover one can open his own TV/RM Radio channel.

Top Colleges Offering UG/PG/Other Courses
Many universities/institutions offer courses of Journalism. Some important names are given below. Indian Institute of Mass Communication, at New Delhi and Dhenkanal (Orissa); A J K Mass Communication Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi; Manipal Institute of Communication, Manipal; Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication, Pune; Asian College of Journalism, Bangalore; Department of Communication and Journalism, University of Poona, Pune; Amity School Of Journalism and Communication, New Delhi; Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi; Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism, Bhopal.

Besides these some universities also offer journalism through distance learning programmes. Some of them are Barkatullah Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal; Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi Kota Open University, Kota and Sambalpur University, Sambalpur.

Remuneration
The minimum salary as per government directive has to be Rs. 5500 to Rs. 9000 for reporters and senior reporters, Rs. 5000 to Rs. 10,500 for the chief reporters and sub-editors, and Rs. 7500 to 12000 for editors. Private sector even offers higher remuneration including lucrative various fringe benefits. However salaries offered depend on the company one is working with. Field journalists are given travel and stay expenses as well as allowances are additional with all pay packets. Self-employed also have good earning depending upon the nature and extension of their business.