Electronic Media

Introduction:

Looking for a Career Option in the Field of Electronic Media ? This section features Electronic Media as a career option, elaborated with reference to the job profile, personality traits required, the courses and training involved, premier institutions and future prospects.

Rapid development of technology has opened up innumerable opportunities in the electronic media. Public access to information and entertainment is growing day by day. The electronic media comprising radio (audio) and television (audiovisual) has an edge over the print media as events and developments can be instantaneously transmitted the world over. There are various types of jobs in electronic media for which different types of training are required. All those who work in programme production are liable to work until transmission stops.

The different jobs in electronic media require specific skills or talents that contribute towards making the team complete. There can also be separate teams doing pre-production, production and post-production work.

Personality Traits:

Certain attributes are common for all jobs in the electronic media : Wide range of interests, a sociable nature, ability to think fast, crisis management, speed of action, creative imagination, an appreciation of what audiences want, ability to work as part of a team, resilience, tact, self confidence, a sense of responsibility, presence of mind, clear, quick, logical mind and ability to handle criticism.

Career Prospects:

With the introduction of several television channels and FM radio stations, the career opportunities in the field of electronic journalism has increased manifold. The positions a person working in electronic media usually holds are:

  • Field Reporter
  • Writer
  • Editor
  • Research Analyst
  • Field and In-house Correspondent
  • News / Program Anchor
  • Presenter
  • News Analyst
  • Public Relations Officer
  • Cinema Projectionist
  • Media Marketing Executive
  • Content Writer and editor
  • Audiovisual Production Specialist
  • Advertising Executive

A Mass Communication / Journalism degree can also lend you a job in the fields of direction, program research, production, script writing and camera & sound departments.

Courses/Training:

Training

Various types of professional training can give access to jobs in the electronic media.

Mass Communication is offered as a postgraduate diploma/degree programme after graduation in any discipline. The duration of courses varies from one to two years. The two year postgraduate programme in mass communication at the Mass Communication Research Centre (MCRC), Jamia Milia Islamia, Delhi gives comprehensive coverage in all facets of the electronic media.

An emerging trend is undergraduate programmes in mass media or journalism and mass communication to students who have passed 10+2. Such programmes can create a base for careers in electronic media and are being offered by Delhi University, University of Mumbai among others. Many Universities/Institutes in the country offer courses in dance, music, and drama. Professional training in these areas can lead to assignments in the electronic media.

Many Universities / Institutes in the country offer courses in dance, music, and drama. Professional training in these areas can lead to assignments in the electronic media.

Challenges:

TODAY, THE major challenges being faced by the electronic media are credibility, commitment, professionalism and media ethics. There are certain issues which involve the society as well as the media, making both of them interdependent on each other.

Media is not only a mirror to show what all is happening in the society, it also acts as an instrument of social change. Its job is to inform and educate the society and act as a medium of communication between the various organs of the society and masses. Its job is to look into the society in all its manifestation with a penetrating eye, reflect noble ideas and expose social evils and help in their eradication. But in recent times despite all of these duties which media has to perform, there is no credibility to what media does.

Media can make or mar reputations, build bridges of understanding or cause tensions and hatred among various section of the society. Nowadays, many newspapers and magazines indulge in biased projection and distorted interpretation of news because they think they are serving a cause that is to bring out truth in front of the whole society. There are many incidents when the media was under the light of immoral reporting.

Placements & Prospects:

Proliferation of the electronic media along with the rapid advances in technology, communication satellites, cable networks, dish antennae etc. has helped to create myriad opportunities of employment in the electronic media. Privatisation of TV networks has been a major source of encouragement, That is why prospects in the electronics media are exceptionally good. Communication for all the jobs is very keen and only the best stand a chance.

Emoluments vary enormously according to qualifications, experience, capability and talent. Creativity, imagination, perseverance and the gift of communication can make a significant difference to placements.

As more and more channels and bands continue to be added, the scope for talent and opportunity utilisation in the electronic media will continue to be high.

Remuneration:

The salaries for beginners in the electronic media industry are not very lucrative. But hard work and experience can take you a long way in the field of electronic journalism. The government of India has laid down certain guidelines regarding the salary brackets of professionals in this industry. According to the government directives,

  • Fresher and senior reporters of all government owned electronic media must be paid anything between 5,500 to 9,000 rupees per month.
  • Sub editors and chief reporters must earn anything between 5,000 to 10,500 rupees per month.
  • An editor’s salary bracket is in the range of 7,500 to 12,000 rupees per month.

Asides a fixed remuneration, all journalists and professionals working with the electronic media are given traveling allowances, stay expenses while on the field and incentives depending on the performance.

Bibliography:

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Mediacourse.yolasite.com. (2017). mediacourse. [online] Available at: http://mediacourse.yolasite.com/media-education.php [Accessed 16 Sep. 2017].

Bestindiaedu.com. (2017). Career Options in Electronic Media. [online] Available at: http://www.bestindiaedu.com/career-options/electronic-media.html [Accessed 16 Sep. 2017].

Indicareer.com. (2017). Electronic Media, Career in Electronic Media, Electronic Media Courses. [online] Available at: http://www.indicareer.com/Electronic-Media/India-Career-Electronic-Media.html [Accessed 16 Sep. 2017].

Merinews.com. (2017). Major challenges faced by electronic media. [online] Available at: http://www.merinews.com/article/major-challenges-faced-by-electronic-media/15767694.shtml [Accessed 16 Sep. 2017].

Bestindiaedu.com. (2017). Career Options in Electronic Media. [online] Available at: http://www.bestindiaedu.com/career-options/electronic-media.html [Accessed 16 Sep. 2017].