Highlights - Digital Journalism

Professional Certificate In

Digital Journalism

Digital Media Technology is rapidly evolving within the media industry. It involves applying digital (computer) technology to mass communications. The Internet has emerged as a powerful communication medium, profoundly impacting society, commerce, and government. The inherent interactivity and immediacy of digital technology have transformed the models of media production and business. Traditional and new media intersect, influencing each other; this is known as media convergence. The goal is to empower citizens, especially the youth, with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools to equip them with employability skills for an emerging digital world.

While Digital Media offers significant potential for Indian youth, many opportunities remain untapped due to various constraints inherent in the Indian context.

Digital Media Technology blurs time and space, as well as geographic and cultural distances. It immerses us in a global communication environment, thereby reshaping societies, economies, and mass media audiences. Media and the messages they convey are in a constant state of evolution. Those working in the media field must comprehend and adapt to these changes.

Digital Journalism

Learning Objectives

To successfully complete this course, students should be able to demonstrate the following abilities. Students will achieve these objectives through participation in class activities and project implementation. They will learn to effectively utilize new media technologies across various media types, including Broadcast Media, Digital Media, Electronic Media, Mass Media, Multimedia, New Media, News Media, Print Media, Published Media, and social media. As a result, their digital, visual, and media literacy will be enhanced, enabling them to become content providers.

Digital Media Evolution

Think critically and creatively about how new media technologies are reshaping traditional mass communication.

Digital Integration

Digitally manipulate text, graphics, animation, audio, video, and effects in the context of new media communication.

Strategic Visualization

Visualize ideas for clear, impactful communication using strategic design elements.

Strategic Multimedia Storytelling

Compose compelling narratives through strategic integration of text, graphics, animation, audio, video, and effects for impactful storytelling.

Tech Proficiency Mastery

Acquire proficiency in using the software and hardware outlined in the syllabus to achieve their goals.

Digital Journalism

EXAMINATION

There will be no written theory examination for this program. All assignments and quizzes are to be conducted online inside the classroom. There will be at least seven hands-on sessions for each paper.

PARTICIPATIONS

It’s in the best interest of the student to contribute during in-class activities such as discussion, reflection, experience sharing, peer-to-peer review, etc.

GRADING POLICY

Final grades are performance-based and will be awarded based on the total number of points. They will be computed in the following manner:

ABOVE 99% DISTINCTION

96–98% = A+ 86-88% = B+ 76-78% = C+ 66-68% = D+

92–95% = A 82-85% = B 72-75% = C 63-65% = D

89–91% = A- 79-81% = B- 69-71% = C- 60-62% = D-

Less than 60% = PASS

Digital Journalism

PROJECTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

All projects will have a detailed brief for requirements, due dates, assessment criteria, and resources. We will discuss each brief before the implementation. Unless indicated otherwise, projects are to be submitted digitally in Microsoft Word Format. All project due dates might change depending on the progress of the class. Students will be notified by mail or on the official website.

SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

Students enrolling in this program may carry their laptops to the class. Computers are provided in the lab. Computer systems can be used only through prior booking of lab time slots, approved by faculties. Students should have their USB drives for data storage and transfer purposes. Recommended size is at least 8 GB (Use only on written approval of the lab instructors. CDs/DVDs to store project data for submission purposes only.)

TEXTBOOK

There are no assigned textbooks for this program. Students will be provided with free electronic formats of the relevant books for all papers. Course materials will be provided at the end, and before the revision class of a particular module.

Digital Journalism

EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

The media profession changes as it is influenced by technology. The technology that was once handled by specialists and consultants, is now becoming part of all media personnel’s jobs. Magazines, television programs, and newspapers are being published on the Internet to “cross benefit” by having two media products. Media professionals must also understand some practical theories of new media technology. For example, print and broadcast journalism are changing as the length of the story is now less of an issue due to the incorporation of hyperlinking.

Some media professionals might choose to become technically fluent and produce new media. However, most media professionals can expect their job duties to rely massively on – experience in and knowledge of – practical uses of technology (technical literacy) i.e., in producing both traditional and new media.

As a result, Media companies across the globe are looking for people, who are jack- of-all (Jackal), meaning those who have hands-on experience of the technical as well as practical side of journalism. Media Companies are looking for personnel who can report, create content, maintain web pages, create, and edit video and graphic design, write press releases, and improve the company’s online image.

New Media Technology changes the job functions of most media professionals. The reason for this is the media convergence. New Media Technology also changes the production model under which mass communication has been governed. Traditional journalism, controlled by deadlines and space constraints, can now open into different models of storytelling without these limitations.

Henceforth, Media professionals of today and the future will need to be able to work in and produce multiple media. Those who work only in one medium, such as print, will be too highly specialized. Likewise, advertising, and public relations firms, that cater solely to Internet business, also stand to suffer from being too highly specialized. In either case, there is no “jackpot” in media specialization. Instead, the roles played by media professionals continue to evolve to include new characteristics that operate in a new landscape. A major change in the media landscape is that with the introduction of new media technology, particularly the Internet, owing to which the number of publishers has increased dramatically. The existence of more publishers naturally increases competition, which leads to faster production. In turn, faster production has led to controversies in journalism, especially when the speed of publication is emphasized; detrimental to adequate fact-checking. The speed emphasis can also take precedence over artful, disciplined communication.

Digital Journalism

EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS

This program is a gateway to the first of two in a convergence journalism sequence in which students will learn to read, write, report, and present news for all major media platforms used in contemporary journalism. Through participation in this program, students will have the opportunity to develop knowledge, understanding, skills, and attributes that will be transferable and enhance the student’s employability.

Understanding the roles of communication systems, an awareness of the economic forces that frame the media, cultural and creative industries, and the role of such industries in specific areas of contemporary political and cultural life.
Understanding of media forms and genres, and how they organize understandings, meanings, and effects.
Understanding the role of technology in terms of media production, access, and use.
Critical evaluation the contested nature of some objects of study within the fields of communication and media, and the social and political implications of the judgments that are made
Critical appraisal of some of the widespread common-sense understandings and misunderstandings of communications, media, and culture; and the debates and disagreements they create.
Understanding how media, cultural, and creative organizations operate and are managed.
Retrieval and generation of information, and evaluation sources, in carrying out independent research.
Working productively in a group or team, showing abilities at different times to listen, contribute, and lead effectively.

Digital Journalism

CLASS FORMAT

Since this is primarily a hands-on project-based program, class activities will be in the following formats:

Digital Journalism

STUDENTS RESPONSIBILITIES

The students will have to agree to

Have an open mind, try new things, and commit themselves to the program.
Submit/present original work that was created by them for the class give due credits or cite all the references.
Communicate to each other in advance in person, or by using email for any special learning needs or questions about this program.
Be considerate of others’ right to learn: be punctual; turn off or put cell phones on vibration mode; respect each other’s opinions and diverse backgrounds; use training computers for activities related to this program etc.
No drinks or food near computers or classroom are allowed
Use word processing tools to check spelling, and grammar in preparing write-ups before posting them on the internet.

COURSE SCHEDULE

This schedule might change with fair advance notice to correspond with student learning progress. Updates will be announced in class, and posted on the program website and via email.

TRAINER(S)

The core technical trainers for this program will be from various organizations IDMT has strategic partnerships with some media companies and institutes offering full-time journalism training programs to provide their key personnel as guest faculty.

CERTIFICATE

The program is not affiliated/approved with any University/Government agencies. These programs are industry-endorsed. For this program, New Media Center has made strategic partnerships with media companies in regional, national, and international. The certificates will be signed and endorsed by all the media alliance organizations.

DIPLOMA

After completion of the PCDJ programs, all students will be awarded a Professional Certificate in paper format and a pocket-size Diploma Card (Digital Plastic Card).

MEMBERSHIP

All students will be given a free life membership card of the “WHATSTHE.NEWS”.

INTAKE

The total intake for both programs will be 64, out of which 12 seats are reserved for scholarship and organization-sponsored students.

PLACEMENT

Placement assistance will be given to all the students, depending on their merits. As this is an industry-endorsed program, all students will be absorbed by the different media organizations locally, nationally, or internationally.

MEDIA CARD

After completion of the training program, all students will be given a MEDIA CARD from WHATSTHE.NEWS – India’s upcoming Community News Syndication service. WHATSTHE.NEWS is a 24×7 and 3600 web news channel syndication portal for the people – by the people.

DISCLAIMER

The curriculum for both programs are approved and registered by the International Curriculum Consortium under the International Copyright & Intellectual Property Rights Act of various countries. Any organization or person, using any content of our programs will be prosecuted.