Journalism course hobbled by the basics

Delhi University’s graduate course in journalism may be in vogue but the infrastructure in colleges where it is taught leaves much to be desired. Shefali Saxena reports.

Delhi University’s graduate course in journalism may be in vogue but the infrastructure in colleges where it is taught leaves much to be desired.

HT Image

The course includes topics such as information technology and online journalism, broadcast journalism, print journalism and production, reporting and editing for the broadcast media, and radio and TV production. The colleges, however, are forced to teach the topics without the necessary media labs and equipment.
Maharaja Agrasen College is the only one with a studio.

At Lady Shri Ram College for Women — considered to be among the best colleges for humanities in the country — students wait for better infrastructure.

Bindu Menon, the journalism course coordinator, said, “The University Grants Commission or the varsity have no guidelines for a studio. The varsity should make provisions and grant funds for a studio. Till that happens, we have to hire outsiders to cope up with the absence of practical lab exercises. Students have been placed at big media houses despite the lack of facilities.”

Setting up a studio is a costly affair with a basic video camera costing between R1.5 lakh and R2 lakh. The editing software and interface are costly, too.
“Colleges depend on the financial support of the varsity authorities to set up studios,” said Geetanjali Kala, the teacher in charge of the department of journalism at the Delhi College of Arts and Commerce.

The college, which does not have a studio for its journalism students, has filled the vacuum by borrowing cameras and conducting workshops.

“While skills are important, we lay a lot of emphasis on contemporary issues, debates and content analysis. Besides practical work, students need to be well versed with the various debates nationally and internationally,” Kala added.

DU colleges charge between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 17,000 yearly, which is paltry when compared to what most private colleges with studios charge.
But some of the colleges may soon get functional studios.

“The varsity has sanctioned the funds for a studio recently. Our faculty members brought in their own professional cameras and software to counter the current unavailability of the professional set-up. The college has an excellent cyber centre for the students for the IT paper. Despite the absence of the studio, our students have faired well in the varsity exams and thereafter,” said Anjju Guptaa, the course coordinator of the department of journalism at Kalindi College.

The media coordinator at Kamla Nehru College, Geetesh Nirban said, "DU has given us tremendous support. We have been using external help to aid the students."