Most of us still don't have a profound understanding of these fields. Many people speak in the same breath about mass communication and journalism, failing to realize that the two are not the same, although closely linked.
If you, too, have wondered about the difference between journalism and mass media, then this article is for you. Here are the basic concepts of course structure, schools, degrees, and job opportunities in the main differences between mass communication and journalism.
What is mass communication and journalism?
Mass Communication is a medium used to spread messages, views, news, and entertainment to the masses (a large number of people) known as mass communication. Radio, TV, news, magazines on the Internet, social media, and movies are potent mediums of mass communication.
Mass communication is a vast area and requires efficiency in photography, filmmaking, journalism, advertising, public relations, writing material, etc.
On the other hand, journalism focuses primarily on transmitting news to individuals, whether it's political, economic, corporate, research, sports, or entertainment news.
Journalism functions in three necessary steps: gathering information or news, editing and validating it with facts and images, and distributing it through both print and electronic media to the masses. Print media contains newspapers and magazines, TV, radio, and even the Internet are part of electronic media these days.
Difference between journalism and mass communication?
Mass communication and journalism are two separate facets of the same thing. Mass Communication is an umbrella term that encompasses many sectors, including journalism, such as advertising, event management, public relations, etc. And journalism is a sub-section of mass communication but with a significant difference.
The major gaps between these two fields lie mainly in two categories:
a. Courses and program variations
b. Differences in prospects of jobs
Courses and Colleges Where everything starts:
There are plenty of courses that provide the experience and the ability to get into mass media and journalism.
Mass communication and journalism are common to many of these degrees and will allow you to branch out into any area you choose. Several other degrees, such as pure mass communication or pure journalism, concentrate on one or the other.
Here are a few popular Mass Communication and Journalism courses:
· BJMC- Journalism & Mass Media Bachelor
· BMMMC- Digital & Mass Communication Bachelor
· BMC- Mass Communication Bachelor's degree
· B.A (Mass Communication)- Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, Mass Communication
· BJ- Journalism Bachelor's Degree
· B.A (Journalism) - Journalism Bachelor of Arts
· BSMC- Bachelor of Mass Media Sciences
India's Top Journalism Colleges:
· Symbiosis Centre for Media and Communication, Pune
· Indian Institute of Journalism & News Media, Bangalore
· Christ University, Bangalore
· Lady Sri Ram College, Delhi University
· Delhi College of Arts & Commerce, Delhi University
· Kamala Nehru College, Delhi University
· Madras Christian College, Chennai
· Jamia Malia Islamia, New Delhi
· Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi
· Mithibai College, Mumbai University
· Times School of Journalism, New Delhi
Top Mass Communication Colleges in India:
· P College for Women, University of Delhi
· Symbiosis Institute for Media and Contact, Pune
· Wilson College, University of Mumbai
· Hinduja College, University of Mumbai
· Jai Hind College, University of Mumbai
· Jamia Malia Islamia, New Delhi
· St. Xavier's College, Mumbai
Differences in the layout of the course and job prospects
The layout of their courses and the respective career opportunities that lead to them are a critical point of differentiation between mass communication and journalism. Although the course structure varies from college to college, here are the most common and prevalent aspects of these courses.
Journalism Courses:
Journalism courses usually cover subjects such as introduction to journalism, journalism history, various news media (such as newspapers, magazines, radio, Internet, etc.), newsgathering, news reporting, writing and editing, news distribution, etc., account regular updates and trends.
Career Chances in Media:
Different types of career openings and types of profiles that can be accessed after a degree in journalism include:
· Reporter on TV News
· Editor of Newspaper Reporter-News
· Proof-reader
· Content developer
· Journalist for New Media
· Presenter for news
· Photojournalist Reporter
· Translator
· Image designer
Some top journalism recruiters in the industry are:
News channels: NDTV, Aaj Tak, BBC, CNN, etc.
Newspapers: The Hindustan Times, Times of India, The Hindu, Indian Express, etc.
Magazines: India Today, Outlook, Magazine Frontline, etc.
Journals: The Journal of Wall Street, The Free Press Journals, etc.
Radio stations: Radio Mirchi, Red FM, Big FM, etc.
Broadcasting companies: News Broadcasting House, Viacom, Lehman Brothers Set, etc.
Mass Communication courses:
On the other hand, the courses in Mass Communication cover a more comprehensive list of fields, such as advertising, public relations, journalism, content writing, research methodology, filmmaking, photography, media culture, media, event management, television and radio basics, history, politics and the country's socio-economic status, etc.
Career Chances of Mass Communication:
A plethora of job opportunities is accompanied by mass contact in areas and profiles such as:
· Publicity and Branding
· Moviemaking
· Editing Videos
· Photography
· Communications with the Public
· Radio Jockey
· Writing and Material Production
· Controller of Events
· Wedding Planner
· Creative Guiding
· Recording and Sound Mixing
Some Top Mass Communication Recruiters in the Industry are:
PR companies: Adfactor, Edelman India, Value 360, Text100India, etc.
Agencies for digital marketing: iProspect India, WAT Consultant, Pin Storm
Advertising companies: Ogilvy and Mather, Madison Communications, JWT India, etc.
Houses for the media, newspapers, TV, and radio (Same as Journalism)
So here's the detailed distinction between mass communication and journalism. Depending on what you want to do in life and where you want to end up, you have to choose your area. If you want a more comprehensive range of skills in your pocket, a degree in Mass Communication will be perfect, while a degree in Journalism will help if you are clear about your aim of developing a journalism career.
Abhra Roy
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