‘Digital age has changed news consumption’
The world of news has changed in the digital era. Today “speed with accuracy” is the journalist’s major challenge and this is the thin line that separates professional journalists with social media enthusiasts. a story befitting consumption on these mediums. Therefore, it is inevitable that journalism and mass media colleges bring their curriculum up to speed to ensure that the students learn what the industry requires them to be proficient in. Relevant knowledge of technology with traditional skillsets -- language, writing, reporting, editing, analysis, layouts and camera skills have become a few essentials that students need to be equipped with. At the same time, it is very important for a broadcast journalist to be able to produce 15-seconds for snapchat, Instagram and also be competent to produce well researched documentaries for main stream television. Hence, it is important for students to learn how to adapt their story for different mediums which will reach out to different kinds of audiences. Therefore, the curriculum should provide an intelligent convergence of the skills required for all mediums and also train journalists to write for different readership / viewership profiles. Media schools need to prepare students to adapt themselves to varying media formats. The digital age has brought in a gamut of opportunities for the millennials. Whether it is being a blogger, content curator, social listener plus content writer, the avenues have grown manifold. First, the institute’s curriculum and pedagogy should be based on the industry demands because that is where they will eventually work. A more experiential and practical, hands-on training, backed by a strong academic curriculum is essential. I feel that when students are taught by industry experts, they learn the best.