2024 was an especially difficult year for Journalism courses in Karnataka. Drastically dwindling admission rates have threatened the survival of Journalism institutes in the state and The Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media (IIJNM) has taken a fall as it shut down completely. Convergence Institute of Media Management and IT Studies (Commits), Bengaluru also shut down in 2023. Major institutions that offer Journalism courses in Coastal Karnataka have marked a record low in applications in 2024.
The reasons for the decline of popularity of Journalism courses, based on systematic interactions with students and academic professionals are noted to be economic, perspective oriented and socially relevant. Journalism institutes rightfully charge a high tuition fee that is often a burden for students, and the industry does not compensate academically qualified professionals with a good salary package at the entry level. The industry standard in terms of salary offered is much lower compared to other (especially corporate) sectors, paired with rather challenging working hours. An awareness of this combined with perspective factors such as loss of credibility of media, layoffs during the pandemic (lack of job security), lack of workplace security for women, absence of monitoring bodies are noted causes for the decline of interest in Journalism among students. There are also practical factors such as a rise in citizen journalism thanks to digital media platforms, and the discreditation of an academic degree in the Journalism field. These factors have led to a general impression that ‘a degree is not relevant’ to be a Journalist, if at all one wants to be. The culmination of all the said factors is the academic sector catering to Journalism spiralling downwards in Karnataka.
The death of academic orientation
The ‘irrelevance of a degree in Journalism’ goes deeper than its currently evident impact. The death of academic orientation resulting from the closing of Journalism courses will have long-term impacts that will discredit media further in the eyes of the public. Academic research and documentation approaches are time tested methods of sustaining a sturdy grounding in any sector; Journalism included. Loss of methodologies of scientific research in media and communication, forgoing the structural approach to reporting and documentation, lack of a theoretical foundation that can help regulate and understand the developments of the industry and the inadequacy in skill development techniques will lead to deterioration of the quality of Journalists, and as a result, Journalism itself.
Academic and industry professionals already put it on record that the quality of candidates entering the industry is compromised owing to the irreversible levels of dependence on digital tools and a desperation to forgo manual methods of writing, editing and on-field research. Problems that originate quite evidently from the deficiency in academic grounding. Also, the rich knowledge base that resides within the academic sector such as research methodologies, journalistic publications, case study archives etc that can make a ‘credible journalist’ are only accessible within the sector and not on YouTube or Instagram.
The industry onus
The academic sector is slowly embracing change in India and new skill based courses are surfacing in order to address the culture shock that results from outdated curriculum. While this is in process and might take a while to have notable impact, the Journalism industry can also do its bit to hold the academic hand. Media houses and publications, instead of discrediting ‘the degree’ and choosing candidates who contextually fit their needs, can collaborate with Journalism institutions and introduce students to industry expectations early on. Considering that almost every job profile in media is skill oriented, ensuring a good package to start with will also play a constructive role. As old school as it may sound, academically trained professionals are necessary to uphold the integrity and efficiency of any system and the industry holds equal responsibility in ensuring that the education system stands tall.
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