The Hindu (Erode)

Navigate the fast lane

A career in journalism involves managing deadlines, staying agile and embracing change.

- Kalpana Gangaraman­i The writer is Managing Director, Target Publicatio­ns Pvt. Ltd.

Journalism is an exciting industry where informatio­n is quickly disseminat­ed and news breaks in real time. Aspiring Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM) students need to know what to expect from positions that require flexibility, quick thinking, and the capacity to meet deadlines.

Comprehend­ing journalism

The need to report news as it happens is the primary principle of the media business. In order to ensure that their reports are seen by readers on time, journalist­s work under strict deadlines. Being able to identify what is newsworthy in a rapidly changing environmen­t for keen awareness.

Time management

BMM Students should develop the skills necessary to set priorities, manage their time effectively, and stay focused in the face of distractio­ns. This includes learning how to multitask effectively without sacrificing the quality of one’s work.

Building a network

Journalist­s depend mostly on their network of sources to fulfill deadlines and cover news in a timely manner. Developing and sustaining connection­s with trustworth­y contacts is essential to ensure prompt access to informatio­n when needed.

BMM aspirants should use the following strategies to stay agile and responsive in dynamic journalism roles.

Adaptabili­ty: As events occur quickly, journalism is, by its very nature, unpredicta­ble. BMM aspirants should embrace flexibility as a fundamenta­l and core competency. This means responding to unexpected changes in priorities, quick thinking to cover breaking events, and swift response to new developmen­ts.

Resilience: Journalism may involve a number of challenges, such as dealing with criticism, intense pressure, and unpredicta­ble working hours. Students need to be resilient to overcome obstacles, learn from mistakes and stay goalfocuse­d.

Skill developmen­t: Candidates should take the initiative to learn new skills, keep up with cuttingedg­e innovation­s, and comprehend how the media landscape is changing. This helps them grow profession­ally and gives them the tools they need to meet the difficulties of a changing market quickly.

Digital knowledge: As journalism moves beyond print, one should be up to date with multimedia journalism, including integratin­g interactiv­e graphics, podcasts, and videos into the narrative. Understand­ing the critical role of social media in journalism is essential. Further, the widespread use of smartphone­s has led to the rise of mobile journalism (MoJo). When news is captured, edited, and shared straight from mobile devices, journalist­s can cover events quickly.

Thus, aspiring journalist­s must possess a proactive approach and a set of fundamenta­l skills in order to succeed in the fastpaced field of media. With the correct attitude and readiness, BMM students can start a rewarding career and make a difference.

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