Study and job scope of journalism and mass communication in Pakistan

Study and job scope of journalism and mass communication in Pakistan

The word journalism comes from the French journal which has been derived from the Latin diurnal or daily. The Acta Diurna, a handwritten bulletin, came up daily in the Forum, the main public square in Ancient Rome, and was first newspaper of the world.

The field of journalism is defined as art of collection, preparation, and distribution of news and related commentary and feature materials through print and electronic media. It could be in the form of newspapers, magazines, books, blogs, webcasts, podcasts, social networking and social media sites, and e-mail as well as through radio, motion pictures, and television.

 

Brief history of field of journalism

The earliest known journalistic product was a news sheet circulated in ancient Rome: the Acta Diurna, said to date from before 59 BCE. The Acta Diurna recorded important daily events such as public speeches. It was published daily and hung in prominent places. In China during the Tang dynasty, a court circular called a 'bao' was issued to government officials. This gazette appeared in various forms and under various names more or less continually to the end of the Qing dynasty in 1911. The first regularly published newspapers appeared in German cities and in Antwerp about 1609. The first English newspaper, the Weekly Newes, was published in 1622. One of the first daily newspapers, The Daily Courant, appeared in 1702.

 

Journalism as a profession and job career

Journalism is not a new profession, but it has evolved over the years to turn into a fast pace, modern and forward looking line of work. The journalists gather and record raw data to turn into a simple, important and easy to understand piece of information. Journalists is a broader term and is sub-divided into reporters, editors, producers and many other titles, depending on the medium being used.  It is an active profession and requires physical agility, mental sharpness, love for knowledge, ability to process loads of information in a relatively short span of time and an eye for detail. Thisprofession is not for people who are faint harted, like slow pace of work or want to enjoy 9-5 life with weekly off-days.

 

Difference between journalism and mass communication

The specialized field of journalism is related to writing news, commentary and features. It also includes working for blogs, news and other websites and TV and radio broadcasting. Mass communication on the other hand is a broader field which includes journalism as a subset. Mass communication sees the effects and impacts of media on people and society. It is more theoretical and puts emphasis on research to study the audience behavior with respect to various forms of media. It guides journalists and other communication professionals to know and understand their audiences and how to write effectively to capture their attention.

 

Pros and cons of entering into field of journalism

Advantages of working in the field of journalism

Access to first-hand information: Most of the people get information from secondary sources. It can come from friends or acquaintances, mass media or through other sources. Journalists have the advantage to get first-hand information as they are mostly present during the important events and record and report it. The newsrooms of a media establishment receive a lot of information everyday which is not known to general public.

High profile: Journalists are invited to attend major or important events and they get the opportunity to get close to VIPs or other important personalities whom the general public sees only on TV screens or newspapers or magazines. They interview celebrities, politicians and other important people from various walks of life and build personal connections with them.

Importance: Journalists are considered important people and they are granted time and interviews by influential people. Journalists of repute are disclosed important information by the VIPs.

Reward: Journalists of big media organizations are well-paid and are provided good salaries and other amenities of life. They have high style of living.

 

Disadvantages of working in the field of journalism

Odd timings: Journalists usually work in hours when other people enjoy and relax in their free time. The major load of work in the field of journalism is in evening hours and prime time. The newspaper offices close after mid-night after publication of the copy. In TV and radio newsrooms, there are no closing hours as work continues round the clock.  They do not get most of the holidays as newspapers and TV, radio and websites publish material during the holiday season too.

Social life: Journalists often complain about lack of social life because due to their odd timings, they do not find time and opportunity to mingle with other people. They are usually busy in their jobs at the hours people of other professions or line of work do socializing and meet with each other.

Risks: Journalists often face risks and health hazards that are not common in other professions. They have to report riots, political gatherings and accidents. In some turbulent countries, journalists have often fallen victims to bomb blasts, killings at the hands of criminal elements and natural and manmade calamities while performing their duties.

Low reward: The salaries and perks offered in the field of journalism are comparatively low. In other professions, with less risks and proper work and life balance, rewards are higher. Smaller publications including radio and tv stations and websites pay very meager salaries to their employees.

 

Requirements to enter into field of journalism

The basic requirement of entering into field of journalism is curiosity, command on language, and knowledge and interest in current events. A degree in the field of journalism, media and mass communication is considered an asset, but it is not mandatory. People from different disciplines, especially from social sciences and arts and humanities, also get a place in journalism if they are interested in it and have good writing skills.

 

Jobs in journalism

A degree in journalism opens doors to various jobs including, but not limited to, the following:

TV/Radio stations

Newspapers

News Magazines

Websites

Blogs

Advertising

Public Relations

Communication Managers

Public Information

Government  

 

Journalism education in Pakistan

In Pakistan, many universities have been offering education in the field of journalism, at graduate and post-graduate levels. The number of institutions offering education in journalism and mass communication has increased over the years.

Following are the universities that have been offereing various levels of degrees in journalism, media and mass communication in Pakistan:

 

Journalism education in public universities in Pakistan

Some of the public sector universities in Pakistan offering education in journalism and mass communication are as follows:

 

1.       University of the Punjab, Lahore

Education: BS (Hons.), M.S, M. Phil and Ph.D. 

2.       Islamia University, Bahawalpur

Education: BS (Hons.), M. Phil and Ph.D. 

3.       Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan

Education: BS (Hons.), M.S, M. Phil and Ph.D. 

4.       University of Karachi, Karachi

Education: B.S. & Honors, Masters, M.S. / Ph.D.

5.       University of Peshawar, Peshawar

Education: B.S, MA, MPhil.  Ph.D.

6.       Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan

Education: MA, M. Phil., Ph.D.

7.        University Of Balochistan, Quetta                                                          

Education: BS, MA, M. Phil.

8. Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad

Education: BS, MS, Ph.D.

 

Journalism education in private universities in Pakistan

A number of private universities in Pakistan are offering degrees in media studies, journalism and mass communication. Some of these are as follows:

1. Bahria University, E-8 Campus, Islamabad                      BS, 4 years

2. Sindh Madressatul Islam University, Karachi                    BS, 4 years

3. Kinnaird College For Women, Lahore                               BS, 4 years

5. Riphah International University, Islamabad                      BS, 4 years

6. Hamdard University, Karachi                                           BS, 4 years

7. Institute Of Business Management, Karachi                      BS, 4 years

8. Jinnah University For Women, Karachi                             BS, 4 years 

9. Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Dewan University, Karachi          BS, 4 years

10. Beaconhouse National University, Lahore                       BS, 4 years

11. Hajvery University, Lahore                                           BS, 4 years

12. Lahore School of Economics, Lahore                             BS, 4 years

13. University of South Asia, Lahore                                   BS, 4 years

14. Bahria University (Karachi Campus ), Karachi                 BS, 4 years

15. Riphah International University, Faisalabad                    BS, 4 years

16. Alhamd Islamic University, Islamabad                           BS, 4 years

17. Iqra University, Islamabad                                           BS, 4 years

18. SZABIST, Islamabad                                                    BS, 4 years

19. Republic University College, Islamabad                          BS, 4 years