Courses in mass communication and journalism include many similarities and differences. Many students find it difficult to sort through and distinguish between the courses, which frequently results in their making the incorrect choice. Read on to know the difference!
- Journalism Vs Mass Communication - An Overview
- Mass Communication vs Journalism - Eligibility
- Mass Communication vs Journalism - Courses and Fees
- Mass Communication vs Journalism - Syllabus
- Mass Communication vs Journalism - Admission Process and Entrance Exams
- Mass Communication vs Journalism - Job Prospects and Salary Offering
- Top Colleges for Mass Comm and Journalism in India
Journalism vs. Mass Communication
: Given its frequent interchangeability, journalism and mass communication are two different disciplines within the media sector. Let's understand the major differences. Mass communication encompasses several media platforms, including print, broadcast, digital, and advertising. The Mass Communication course focusses on media theory, effects, and production processes. You must possess strong critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills to pursue Mass Communication. Career opportunities include media creation, public relations, advertising, journalism, and more. Whereas, Journalism is primarily about getting, analysing, and disseminating news and information. Responsibilities include news story reporting, writing, editing, and presenting. It highlights objectivity, honesty, and moral reporting. Required skills for Journalism course include writing, researching, and conducting interviews.
We all know that the media forms the fourth pillar of democracy. A job that comes with new experiences and excitement every day, makes a number of youngsters drool over it. Every year, over 70 to 80 lakh students opt for media programmes (
Journalism
and
Mass Communication
) across the country. It goes without saying that the cut-throat competition in the professional media field demands a lot of hard work, dedication and excellent communication skills. But, getting yourself enrolled in the courses at
best media institutions in India
is equally tough.
When it comes to pursuing a course in media, students struggle to choose between Journalism and Mass Communication and find it hard to differentiate. Many a time, this leads to them choosing the wrong course. But, you do not have to worry about that. We, at CollegeDekho, have prepared you a well-researched comparison between Journalism and Mass Communication with respect to the subjects studied, courses, admission process, fee, job opportunities, etc.
Journalism Vs Mass Communication - An Overview
Features | Mass Communication | Journalism |
|---|---|---|
Definition | Fundamentally, the field of Mass Communication is multidisciplinary that encompasses conveyance of information through a print medium, radio broadcast communication, television, film, advertising, online media, audiovisual communication, Personal Relation, etc. | Journalism, on the other hand, is a discipline under Mass Communication that typically deals with the circulation of news through print, television, online mediums and radio broadcasts. |
Conveyance of Content | Through Mass Communication, one disseminates information or a message through multiple platforms. | Journalism is about communicating facts and information to the mass exactly as it is. |
Scope of Creative Freedom | In Mass Communication, an artist has the freedom to make changes in the actual incident or message to provide a better experience to its audience. | Journalism requires more of a professional touch as it is about stating the exact fact rather than giving opinions. |
Structure of Courses | Mass Communication includes dealing with things that have a larger social impact. It includes features and opinion pieces that are given by writers and journalists. | Journalism includes dealing with the components of economics, political science, history of journalism, communication theory and aims at familiarizing students with the role of media (all disciplines) as a mediating agency. |
Mass Communication vs Journalism - Eligibility
This is an interesting fact about entry requirements for Mass Communication courses and Journalism courses - both the fields have similar requirements.
For undergraduate courses, candidates from any disciplinary background are considered eligible provided, they have qualified an intermediate level of examination or equivalent from a recognised board.
For postgraduate courses, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from any discipline.
The cut-off criteria are subject to an institution’s discretion. So, the minimum marks requirement varies from college to college.
Mass Communication vs Journalism - Courses and Fees
The magnificent world of media and communication has taken over our lives. From waking up in the morning by scrolling the news in our phones to sleeping at night while watching TV, it is not hard to realise how much humans are dependent on the elements of this field. Thanks to boom, students now have a good number of options for courses to choose from. Here are some of the courses offered in Mass Communication Vs Journalism along with their tuition fees. You can check out the courses and their curriculum to decide which one to opt for.
It must be noted that the tuition fee of courses depends on the institute that you are studying in.
The annual fee for Journalism courses can vary from Rs 70,000 - 3.5 Lac.
The fee for Mass Communication courses can vary from Rs 90,000 - 6 Lac per annum.
Journalism Courses | Mass Communication Courses |
|---|---|
Bachelor’s | |
BA in Journalism | BA in Media Studies |
BA in Development Journalism | BA in Mass Communication |
BA in Convergent Journalism | Bachelors in Mass Communication (BMC) |
Bachelor of Journalism | BA in Mass Communication and Film making |
BA in Journalism and Communication Studies | Bachelors in Multimedia and Mass Communication (BMMC) |
Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication | BSc in Mass Communication |
Postgraduate Level | |
Foundations of News Writing and Reporting | Multimedia Storytelling |
Multimedia Storytelling | Communication, Technology and Society |
News Editing | Women and Film |
Photojournalism | Narrative and Longform Journalism |
Video Journalism | Media Planning |
Opinion Writing | Film and Broadcast Documentary |
Digital Communications Law | Multicultural Campaigns |
Media Law | Design and Production |
Journalism Law and Ethics | Data Scraping |
Publication Design | Brand Management |
Audio Reporting | Video Editing |
Magazine Photography | Digital Graphic Design |
Travel Writing | Communication Law and Public Policy |
Food Journalism | Narrative Film Production |
Reporting in the Middle East | Risk and Crisis Communication |
Advanced Business Reporting | Global Health and Development Communication |
Mass Communication vs Journalism - Syllabus
Here is a syllabus comparison between Journalism and Mass Communication courses .
Journalism Courses | Mass Communication Courses |
|---|---|
Reporting | Print Media, Electronic Media, Digital Media |
Fundamentals of Journalism | Advertising |
Editing Methods | Media Management |
Print Media | Communication Theories |
Radio Broadcasting | Development Communication |
Audio-Visual Media | Radio and TV Production |
Media Laws and Indian Constitution | Media Laws and Ethics |
Writing for Media | Media Management |
Ethics | Public Relations/ Corporate Communication |
Television Broadcasting | Film Studies |
Magazine Journalism | Photography |
Internet and New Media/ Online Journalism | Intercultural and International Communication |
Mass Communication vs Journalism - Admission Process and Entrance Exams
Just like eligibility criteria, the admission process for both the courses is also usually similar. It actually depends on the intended institution.
Some colleges offer direct admissions after 10+2. But even for direct admissions, students are required to sit in a personal interview round.
Some esteemed journalism and media colleges/ institutions conduct entrance examinations for admissions.
In such cases, candidates who score well in the exams and make it to the merit list are called for further steps.
The next steps in the selection process are usually Group Discussion, Personal Interview and Portfolios.
Here is a list of entrance exams for Mass Communication and Journalism courses in India .
Exam Name | Conducting Institute |
|---|---|
Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi | |
XIC OET (Xavier Institute of Communications Online Entrance Test) | Xavier Institute of Communications |
ACJ Entrance Exam | Asian College of Journalism |
MASCOM Entrance Exam | |
Utkal University Entrance Test | |
AJK MCRC Entrance Test | A.J.K. Mass Communication Research Centre |
AMU Entrance Exam |
Mass Communication vs Journalism - Job Prospects and Salary Offering
The job market of the media industry is highly competitive. Hence, making it big in the field requires a lot of dedication, patience, and power of perseverance. In the beginning, people do not get paid as much as education costs. But their consistency and experience in the industry sure do increase their professional value. The salary package is a complete subject to your position, experience, the organisation or field that you are working in. For both, Journalism and Mass Communication, your monthly salary can vary from Rs 10,000 to Rs 2 Lakhs or more.
Here is a comparison of career opportunities for Journalism students Vs Mass Communication students in India .
Options | Journalism | Mass Communication |
|---|---|---|
Career Opportunities |
|
|
Top Recruiters |
|
|
Top Colleges for Mass Comm and Journalism in India
If you wish to pursue a Mass Communication course or a Journalism course in India, then you can check out the following list of top colleges for Mass Comm and Journalism in India.
Name of College | Course Offered | Annual Course Fees |
|---|---|---|
Rs 2,96,000 - Rs 7,05,000 | ||
Rs 34,400 | ||
Rs 38,600 | ||
Diploma in Creative Writing | - | |
Diploma in Hindi Patrakarita Prashikshan` | ||
BA Journalism | Rs 7,000 | |
BJMC | Rs 35,000 | |
Diploma in Multimedia | Rs 29,500 | |
BA Media Studies BA Journalism (Hons) Psychology and English | Rs 1,25,000 - Rs 1,50,000 | |
MA in Journalism and Mass Communication | Rs 1,48,000 | |
BJMC | Rs 1,18,000 | |
MJMC | Rs 1,13,000 |
There are several more colleges, where you can pursue either a Journalism and Mass Communication colleges that offer a course at UG and PG level. If you wish to get enrolled in any of the colleges, fill out our Common Application Form and our experts will assist you through the admission process.
While there are similarities in Journalism and Mass Communication courses, there are differences as well, which must be clear to you now. If you want to be a jack of all trades then Mass Communication would be a better option for you. But, if you want to focus and excel in journalism only, then going for Journalism courses would be the right choice. Whichever course it may be, just remember one thing in might that the key to your success in this industry is your talent, professional relations, and experience.
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Good Luck!
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