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Media is no longer just about newspapers or TV, it’s about AI driven newsrooms, OTT platforms,podcasts,reels,and immersive storytelling. The right college can turn curiosity into creativity and creativity into a career. Choosing the best media college in 2026 is not just about a degree,it’s about your future identity as a communicator,creator and changemaker.

Know Your Dream Before Choosing the College

Do you see yourself as a journalist, filmmaker anchor,content creator ad filmmaker,PR professional or designer?

Write down your dream role before shortlisting colleges,Universities. When you are clear in your mind about choosing streams then look at these certain parameters to select the college university to proceed for the final admission.

•  Look at the curriculum. A good college does not just teach , it updates with time.
•  It must have included AI in media and Journalism. 
• It must include Multimedia Storytelling, Digital Marketing & Branding, OTT & Entertainment Studies, Data Journalism & Analytics, Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality.
• You should compare the curriculum and check if they are future ready. Media education is practical ,not just theoretical.
• You should check that TV studios and newsrooms, radio studios and podcast labs, film production and editing suites, AR/VR labs, media libraries and digital archives are available on campus.
• The strength of the media college lies in its faculty and mentors. Are the professors industry veterans or just academics?
• Check guest lectures, workshops and masterclasses do take place? Good mentors open doors to internships, projects and jobs.
• Media thrives on exposure and networking. Top universities often tie up with media houses, and news channels. Does the college guarantee internships and industry visits?
• Check what Alumni speaks, check the success stories. Alumni networks also help with the job placements and mentorship.
• Does the college support placement?What is the average salary package? Do students get jobs in journalism, film, advertising or corporate communications?
• Check Fees ,scholarships return on investment. Sometimes a slightly costlier college with better placements and exposure is worth it.
• Location shapes opportunities to grow. A college in metro cities may offer more internships, guest lectures and real world exposure.  
• How is the campus culture and student teamwork. Do they have student media clubs ? Do they conduct media fest, cultural fest with media competitions? A vibrant campus builds your portfolio and personality. 
• Media is global. Does the college have student exchange programs? Do they conduct workshops with global journalists or filmmakers? A student who studied one semester abroad gains cross-cultural storytelling skills?
• Don’t just choose, connect with the campus. Can I imagine myself growing here for the next three years? Do I connect with the vibes of the students?

Choosing the right media college is not about finding the biggest name it's about finding the place where your creativity, curiosity and courage can grow. The right campus will not just give you a degree it will give you a stage to perform, a studio to practice and a network to shine.

Remember media is not just a career,it’s your voice to the world. Choose the college that helps you use that voice with power,purpose and passion.

This week, Nepal experienced its most massive youth protest after the government abruptly blocked access to social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram on the grounds that they had not been formally registered to pay tax. When the police discharged bullets, tear gas and water cannons on big student-led crowds in Kathmandu and other cities, more than 19 were killed and over 300 injured. The ban initiated the movement, dubbed the Gen Z Protest, but young people attribute the root causes to years of corruption, the increasing unemployment rate, and the boasting of wealth through social networking platforms, where ordinary youths are fighting to get employment. 

What Happened in Nepal? 

Following the violent protests initiated by the youth in Nepal the political situation shifted rapidly. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli stepped down after anger spread among people due to the death of protesters and the brutal response by the government. Demonstrators in Kathmandu burned several major government offices, the houses of ministers and even the parliament and many leaders including the president fled to safety. Each of the ministers and senior officials resigned and several parties within the ruling coalition have dissociated with the government due to high public pressure. Nepal is currently in a leadership crisis, as there is no apparent successor, which shows how powerful and sudden this youth movement has been.

Key Highlights from the Protests

• More than 19 fatalities, 300+ injured by police crackdown.
• Ban on 26 most popular social media apps.
• Protesters are students tired of corruption and nepotism.
• The PM KP Sharma Oli stepped down 
• The Nepo Kid movement was trending on the internet, with elite privilege against the actual challenges of youth (more than 740,000 Nepalis left the country to work last year)

Why Should Young Indians Pay Attention?

Experts believe that such occurrences are a wakeup call and an encouragement to young people in India. The movement in Nepal has similarities to those in India: dissatisfaction with joblessness, political favouritism and social inequality. The protests in Nepal lacked a leader, and were largely organised online, not a novel idea among Indian students who have previously organised successful digital protests such as #StudentProtests, CAA-NRC or farmers protests.

Facts to Note

• Open borders make the policies in one country to be reflected in the other
• The Nepalese youth diaspora is comparable to the situation in India where many youths leave their homes to find jobs elsewhere, showing a desperate demand for new economic opportunities.
• The example of Nepal and its protest style that is decentralised, digital-first can be studied by Indian youth advocacy and its demand to hold the government accountable.
• There are threats too, as violent crackdowns can be rapidly employed, and digital bans can even be counterproductive as in Nepal. 

What Can Change Next?

Indian youth can insist on more governmental representation and changes, they are confident that their voice and numbers count. Apart from that, social media will continue to be a prime activism tool of the youth, and any attempt to censor or prohibit will spur larger movements. Lastly, it signals the need for more jobs, internships and open dialogue among the policymakers and the educators rather than just authority among the youth.

Why This Matters Now

The Gen Z protest in Nepal is a major reminder that when the young generation sees something wrong and possesses the means to mobilise, they will make history–so quickly. Indian young people are observing, hashtagging and reexamining their part in the system. The cry of transformation is not only viral, but it is tangible-and it may even move across boundaries in the near future. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in every step is emphasizing on building ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. From building tempered glasses to Semiconductor chips and beyond, Narendra Modi is encouraging self-reliance for the greater good of the country. He has raised a call to the young people of India to create localized social media solutions capable of competing with such global platforms as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), and YouTube- a digital resurgence that will ensure the technological independence of the nation and its next-generation innovation.

Why this Push? 

With a population of more than 806 million internet users (55.3% of the population) and over 491 million active user identities (33.7% of the population), India has one of the largest social media markets in the world, but most interactions are made on foreign owned platforms. This online reliance subjects India to the issue of privacy and security of the nation and economic leakage. This campaign also forms a key pillar of the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) policy, already reflected in triumphs such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which facilitates half of all global real-time digital payments.

Example of Last Attempt: Koo App

Koo, a privately owned application that was encouraged by the government, was once in the news as an Indian variant of Twitter, with local languages and regional content. Although early momentum and ministry tie-ups existed, Koo was unsuccessful in maintaining user engagement because of:

Challenges in getting users to abandon existing platforms

• Shortcomings in content renewal and interaction, where Twitter and others still held a more vibrant network of creators and communities.
• Monetization and scale problem: Koo had a small user base and was unable to reach advertisers, which restricted its financial prospects and international growth.
• Over-dependence on marketing and investment without robust organic expansion or a substantial difference-maker.
• Finally, Koo shut down in mid-2024 when it could not find buyers or raise more funds, which demonstrates the difficult ascent of homegrown platforms.

National Identity and Digital Sovereignty

In the case of India, local technology creation is not only an issue of markets, it is a question of digital sovereignty. The leaders are afraid of an encore performance of data colonialism where overseas companies get value out of Indian users without the same value being sent home. India will protect sensitive data, establish its rules and portray its digital image worldwide by developing national champions in the technology field, including social media.

The Future 

Although India is rich in tech talent and start-up success cases, the barriers to producing a Bharat-based Facebook are overwhelming:

1. Implementation and Scalability: Constructing platforms that support an Indian market as varied and large, with its languages, cultures, and levels of digital literacy, is a giant technical and operational challenge.
2. Investment and Business Model: To compete with international leaders, it needs to invest continuously, develop monetization strategies that will be attractive to Indian brands and users, and have a valid growth trajectory.
3. User Trust and Experience:Most of the Indian apps are yet to gain trust in terms of reliability, safety and features relative to the established foreign competitors.

Why Now? 

Its time is especially promising. The development of AI, the emergence of Web3 technologies, and the growing interest in digital trust, combined with the strong digital infrastructure of India (since UPI to Aadhaar), precondition the next generation of social networking innovation. The global regulatory changes, including the increased attention to big tech, increase the chance of new entrants who come with new ideas that represent the values, languages, and social realities of India.

The Voice of Bharat in the World Stage

This call made by PM Modi is not only to imitate, it is to uniquely Indian spaces that embody the diversity and democratic spirit of the nation--spaces with universal ambitions, but local soul. With governmental support through Atmanirbhar Bharat, conducive startup policies and a wave of home grown talents; Indian entrepreneurs have a golden opportunity to redefine social media- not only of India, but the globe.

A smart implementation, long-lasting investment, innovative differentiation and widespread trust of users willing to adopt a genuinely homegrown digital future will determine the success of this vision. Atmanirbhar Bharat is beyond becoming a self-reliant country; it is about showing the world the potential our motherland possesses. Thus, Indian youth must take the cue and build extraordinary things that’ll upgrade the country’s identity.

Delhi University has made its name in the news of the day as a professor sent a heart-touching text to one of their students that became viral and won over the hearts of the entire social media due to its message of care and balance. The straightforward and sympathetic response of Dr. Kavita Kamboj, Assistant Professor, Kirori Mal College, has created a much-needed discourse surrounding the welfare of the student and the involvement of teachers in contemporary education.

The Viral Message

In an empathetic and caring response to a student who submitted his assignment at 3:49 am, Dr. Kavita Kamboj sent a text to the student emphasising that health should be the priority and asked not to  sacrifice sleep to meet deadlines. Her text was a beautiful one, “You have done a wonderful job. Just one request, you don’t need to work long hours. You can always make extra time without giving up your sleep. If you sacrifice your rest for work, it makes no sense. I am always here for any help. Give me a call after having a good sleep and breakfast”.

Reaction of Netizens 

She later posted this text on Linkedin and apparently for all good reasons it went viral. The post attracted the interest of hundreds of people, students, teachers and professionals where everyone praised Dr. Kamboj approach. Appreciations were flooding in, people acknowledged that they often sacrifice their health to work. One comment read, “Empathy has long been missing in our classrooms– teachers like you show what real guidance means”. Most of them admitted to their struggle with burnout and praised the professor who changed the focus toward self-care and balance.

The Message’s Impact

The response of Dr. Kamboj was more than comforting to one student and a bold warning call to other campuses that mental and physical health are more important than hustling to get good grades. Her viral post has stressed that burnout is not a badge of honour and students should only take as much as they can reasonably manage. Students have also shared their side of stories telling that they tend to forget about themselves when it comes to meeting deadlines, submit projects, internships, and work pressure, and that this was a reminder to slow down and breathe reevaluating their priorities. 

In the country where sleepless nights are often seen as a sign of dedication,  the words of Dr. Kamboj through her viral linkedin post reached the right audience and has brought in sight a new perspective to the education system. Her kind reply to the student about how well-being is much more important than deadlines is encouraging both educators and students to adopt healthier and happier learning conditions. With the increasing focus on mental health in the academic circles of India, these examples of teacher-student empathy lead to the creation of a role model that all individuals can imitate.

Delhi University’s professors are surely making a difference in the narrative through little but considerate gestures, which are ensuring that the students feel heard, supported, and valued.  

Instagram has introduced a new schools feature to enhance the life of campuses and to enhance the bonding of college students. It is a student-only area where verified U.S. college and university students can add their school to their Instagram profile and connect with peers in a safer and more authentic manner.

What is the Instagram Schools Feature?  

Introduced on August 25, 2025, the Schools feature allows enrolled students to have a college or university as a banner on their profile. It opens up access to a special student directory, where verified friends can be viewed and contacted according to school and grade. The search filters allow students to find students in their own year or campus-wide, creating a connection beyond follows.

How Does Verification Work?

Instagram has teamed up with UNiDAYS, a student verification platform to guarantee real-time relationships. Students should confirm their enrollment in UNiDAYS to see the school banner displayed on their profile. This procedure is a kind of digital student ID, which instills confidence and safety in the campus community. As the CEO of UNiDAYS Jon Hawley remarks, the collaboration allows students to create more realistic, purposeful, and safe relationships online.

How to add school banner on Instagram 2025

You can easily add your school banner to Instagram, but you have to verify your account in order to make the network secure and genuine. Below is a step‑by‑step guide to use this Instagram campus networking tool:

• Download or Update Instagram: Ensure you have updated the Instagram app to be able to use the new Schools feature.  
• Access Profile Settings: Tap the three-line menu on the profile; the next step is to tap Settings.  
• Locate the “Add School” Option: In Settings, look for “Add School” or “Schools.”  
• Verify Enrollment Through UNiDAYS: Instagram relies on UNiDAYS to verify your student-status. You will be redirected to submit proof of enrollment. This action maintains the level of trust of the community.  
• Customize Privacy Settings: Once verified, choose to show your banner to either all the users, friends, or a group of your choice. The privacy settings of Instagram make you feel safe.  
• Explore and Connect via Student Directory: After creating an account, you are able to browse the exclusive directory to find verified peers by school and year of study. It is good to network, study groups, and campus life.  

Why Instagram’s Schools Feature Matters  in the 21st century? 

Instagram, with a publicized school network, fulfills Gen Z desire to have real and close interaction in the crowded social media space. In contrast to open profiles, Schools provide a secure online campus, verified identities, and increased trust and engagement.  

Benefits of the Schools Feature

• Easier Networking: Find and connect with classmates or peers who share the same interests within a very short time.  
• Privacy Control: Authenticated students have control over who will view their school banner.  
• Community Building: The exclusive student directory builds a closed space that enhances school spirit, and closer campus relationships.  
• Verification and security: Verification reduces fake accounts and impersonators to ensure campus networking is secure. 

Solving the Issues of Privacy 

Apparently, this Instagram campus networking tool makes it easier for all the students now to find classmates, but it also naturally raises questions about privacy. Instagram has introduced this as  an optional feature in the app letting the users decide whether they want to link their academic life to their social profiles. They also get to choose to omit the school banner altogether. The verification process and privacy controls help minimize the concerns by restricting access to verified students only.

Additionally, over the past year, student social networking transformed remarkably and has seen rise in concerns about safety, privacy, and authenticity. TikTok’s launch of a campus-based connection tool in early 2025 was a notable precursor to Instagram’s move. Both platforms respond to students’ desire for dedicated, trustworthy spaces that are distinct from broader public profiles.

A Creation of Student Social Spaces like TikTok’s Feature 

The School feature launch follows Tik Tok, which introduced a similar feature, and it emphasises a bigger trend toward campus-based networking. These tools combine both face-to-face experiences with online platforms, where students waste much time.  

Enhancing your School Profile

In addition to the presence of the school banner, students can enhance the presence of their campus by:

• Posting real campus experience in Stories and Reels that demonstrate what life is like on campus.  
• Engaging with verified peers via comments, direct messages, and collaborative content.  
• Engaging in school specific hashtags and challenges to foster community spirit.  

A combination of these tools and Schools feature creates a dynamic active digital campus.  

Instagram schools feature is a strategic move to a safer, closer digital campus. Through easy verification procedures and student directory, college students can make friends and support networks in any other place online, a gap that separates both the physical and the virtual campuses.  

This aspect shows how social media sites are changing according to the sophisticated demands of the upcoming generation of users. They integrate convenience, authenticity, and control in a single streamlined experience.

In an important step towards media education in South India, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin threw open the gates of the newly created Chennai Institute of Journalism (CIJ), Kotturpuram, Chennai. The inauguration marks the launch of South India’s first autonomous journalism institute fully funded by the Tamil Nadu government, aimed at nurturing the next generation of media professionals.

A Step to Qualitative Media Education

The Tamil Nadu 2025-26 budget announced a Chennai Institute of Journalism which will provide one year Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism. The curriculum is modeled to equip students with the competencies necessary in working in different platforms in the print, broadcast, radio and digital media. The classes will be in Tamil and English so as to suit the multiethnic student population. The institute will also work with other foreign journalism schools to enhance academic exposure, as well as international opportunities to the students.

The vision of Stalin with regard to media and journalism

Even on the inauguration day CM Stalin met with the first round students and he made a point that a free and responsible press is essential in the context of a flourishing democracy. He wished that the institute would be a centre of excellence where ethical journalism would be driven by high standard training and use of technology.

Holistic Infrastructure Development

The CIJ is being set up as recently the Tamil Nadu government has made other significant investments in media and public service infrastructure. This was followed by virtually inaugurating a state-of-the-art and an air-conditioned shooting floor within the Tamil Nadu Government MGR Film and Television Training Institute on the same day demonstrating the commitment of the state government in enhancing media and film education infrastructures.

Wider Educational Initiatives

Along with media education, CM Stalin opened new buildings of various government colleges as well as that of Industrial Training Institute (ITIs) in Tamil Nadu with an investment amount estimated to be hundreds of crores of rupees. All of these initiatives are part of a broader shift to improve government infrastructure which will enable skills development and employability.

What This Means to Aspiring Journalists

1. The availability of a high level government funded journalism education in South India.
2. Training with a focus on both classic and digital media.
3. International opportunities of collaboration and exposure.
4. A new learning environment that is encouraged by the state government

Inauguration of the Chennai Institute of Journalism by CM Stalin is a major step forward in media education in the region, which is likely to produce quality journalists who are ready to face the challenges of a rapidly developing media environment.