GMCET

Backpack journalism, also called one-man band (OMB), is a modern, versatile style of journalism where a single reporter takes on multiple roles like reporting, filming, editing, and producing, often equipped with lightweight gear like cameras, laptops, and audio recorders.This strategy enables reporters to work alone in distant or difficult areas and provide quick, personal, and captivating reports to electronic, print, or television media. It is especially useful in the present media world where multimedia content and instant reporting are becoming increasingly important.

For students considering journalism careers in India, backpack journalism offers exciting prospects. Developing digital media platforms and the need to produce authentic stories quickly has presented several opportunities to backpack journalists. They have the opportunity to be in the news channels, online portals that are used to deliver news or be a freelance writer/content creator producing various news for different people. Being able to take care of every attribute of storytelling enhances employability and freedom of creativity.

In the Indian context, the scope of backpack journalism is expanding faster than people can notice. Multi-skilled professionals who are able to produce stories on their own without huge crews are favored more in the media houses as they are cheaper and more maneuverable. Emerging journalism schools across India are offering courses focused on digital media production and backpack journalism skills, making it a future-ready career path for students in 2025 and beyond. Salaries are highly fluctuating and good jobs are available to freshers beginning at 2.5-4 lakh per annum with a very high possibility of an increase with experience and specialization.​

In conclusion, backpack journalism is not just a niche but a growing career option in India's evolving media ecosystem influenced by social media and the advent of AI. For students passionate about storytelling, technology, and journalism, mastering one-man band (OMB) journalism skills opens doors to a diverse range of roles and platforms, making it both a creatively fulfilling and economically viable career.

Media Education is transforming with lightning speed, keeping pace with the revolutionary developments in world media culture.

Media Education's curriculum is also changing at a very rapid pace, matching the revolutionary advancements taking place in the international media environment. With more media channels and diversification, media education courses are changing to equip students with the future needs and opportunities. Some of the new advancements that are reversing the current favoring media education are enumerated below:

1. Focus on Digital Media

Media studies is also becoming increasingly specialized in newer media like podcasting, video streaming, and online news. The social dynamics, implications, and ethical problems of these medias are being researched and taught to students to prepare them for digital-first media careers.

2. Data Journalism and Analytics

With increased significance of data journalism, courses on data analysis, visualization, and storytelling are now included in media studies so that students can apply big data in developing good and fact-checking stories.

3. Multimedia Storytelling

Traditional metrics for media studies are widening to include multimedia storytelling, i.e., text, image, video, and audio. This enables students to develop interactive and interactive stories for various platforms.

4. Fake News and Media Literacy

To counter the information overload, media literacy lays heavy stress on real media literacy. Critical thinking skills are imparted to students in an attempt to spot fake news, comprehend bias, and be quality content creators and consumers. 

5. Virtual and Augmented Reality

Certain education institutions are incorporating Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in instruction and learning to allow students to experiment on virtual story telling and interactive audience engagement materials.

6. Citizen Journalism and Participatory Media

Together with the evolution of citizen journalism, media education is researching the role of citizen journalism. It is studied by students on its influence on traditional journalism and on how it makes information sharing into a democracy.

7. Inclusion and Diversity

Media representation balance is another key area of concern. Cultural sensitivity, representation, and balance in storytelling courses seek to make students think about the importance of balanced representation of people in media production.

8. Media Law and Ethics

Ethical journalism is of particular interest in media research. The courses assign significant weight to legal aspects such as privacy, copyright, and defamation so that the students can realize their professional duty.

9. Global Perspective

With the process of media convergence taking place in our globalizing world, it is critical to gain a world view. Studying international media systems and learning about the influence of global trends on the home country's media environment is advisable.

10. Industry Partnerships and Internships

Theory is being linked to practice by media education, which is working with media firms. The workplaces have been set up for the students by internships and projects.

The Era of Media Education V3.0

The media ecosystem is about to again be disrupted by digital media, artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and machine learning (ML). Media Education V3.0 requires interdependent dependency between industry and academia in the delivery of appropriate and futures-facing education.

With media shifting towards convergence to develop in parallel with the macroeconomic changes of the world and technological breakthroughs, the new trends in media education will prepare the professionals to innovate, lead, and excel in the constantly changing business

Despite all the whiplash we might have experienced keeping pace, you can't dispute that communications have trended in a good way. We've spent more time crafting thoughtful messages. We've learned. We've overcome being video-shy.

And increasingly, we've realized the wisdom of getting together as a community.

1. Multi-platform content distribution will be king

There is no single solution to communication and there never has been. But 2025 will be a sure shot of calling for diversifying your content. And though no one's excluding the fact that your content's dollar value factors into reaching your community, it's truly how your content is delivered which will break or make your school experience a year from now.

You’ll notice there are no “Short-form video will be on the rise,” “More schools will be on TikTok,” or “Email will be the preferred form of communications” predictions on this year’s list. That’s because it’s quite nearly impossible to pin a single content format as a leading trend when your school community is more unique — and demanding — than ever before.

2. Online fatigue will demand authenticity

Long gone are the days of cold calls, perfectly groomed Facebook posts, and overt self-promotion emails. These just don't stick in today's honest era, and increasing studies are finding that social fatigue is having its negative effects.

3. Artificial intelligence will have a growing impact on communications and SEO

With each passing year, there are new developments with artificial intelligence (AI). It can be useful, a bit scary, and somewhere in between. And while AI will likely make its presence felt both in the manner in which your school communicates and the manner in which it approaches teaching next year, these are two things to watch out for.

The trend toward voice searches

Research is moving to put voice assistants at 8.4 billion units. Since more and more homes are buying AI-facilitated domestic devices such as Amazon Echos and Google Homes, increasing numbers of searches will be done verbally.

Why would your district or school care? Consider how you would type school district reviews near me in Google and how you might ask the same of a smart speaker. Were I making a wild guess, the two searches would be:

Google search - "school districts near me reviews"

Smart home voice search - “Hey Google, what do people say about the school districts in my area?”

Voice searches are naturally more conversational than the traditional search engine query. And as more of these long-tailed searches come in, you’ll want to take advantage of them for your search engine optimization (SEO).

Consider the words that you currently attempt to rank for, and think about how you can take those and make them into a frequently asked question that will come in through search. Can you create an eBook for a frequently asked question such as, "Why should I attend a private school?" or can you insert these long-tailed words into your page titles?

AI-fueled personalization driven. AI is enabling one-to-one dialogue at scale

SMS messaging has 98% open rates compared to hardly more than a quarter for email

Mobile-first platforms are merging previously separate systems

Moreover, Campus communication is revolutionized through the adoption of AI, mobile attitudes and behavior.

Days of leaving notes on bulletin boards hoping students will check their email are behind us. Campus communication is much different now than it was a few years ago. Digital native expectations are finally changing the way institutions communicate with their constituency.

Higher education is still changing to meet rising student and teacher needs and maintain practices. It is time to rethink how we build connections with students from beginning to end.

Students seek dialogue, not dumping of information. Gen Z is on their devices for over 7 hours per day, so such technology tools are at the heart of their existence. As education consumers, they're paying for an experience that must cut across all areas of their learning and social existence.

How Is Campus Communication Changing in 2025?

The transformation that is taking place on campuses all over the nation is more than enhancing technology. We are experiencing a complete revolution in how we conceptualize remaining connected in an educational context.

From Broadcast to Conversation: The Shift to Two-Way Communication

University communication used to function like the radio. Universities would broadcast a message and pray that someone was tuned in. But today's students require dialogue. They require questions answered, immediate feedback and to be heard by their universities.

Generation Z interacts with institutions differently than past generations. 69% of the students would value it if their university understood their unique needs through each means of communication. Higher education has enrollment problems and changing demographics, and institutions are forced to adjust their mode of communication. Students want to be addressed as individuals, not as a database entry.

The most successful institutions are moving away from mass email programs towards creating real conversation opportunities. When students can text questions about financial aid deadlines and get minutes-long responses that are tailored to their needs, they engage more deeply with their campus community.

Mobile-First Goes Mobile-Only for Gen Z Students

Your students aren't checking email on computers. They're checking it on their phones between class sessions, between shifts at work and in the evening. When 98% of Americans own cellphones, cellphones become the first doorway to campus life information.

This reality demands more than websites that are mobile friendly. It demands that communications systems play within their existing mobile behavior. They must receive vital updates from the same device they're already using for all other things, without the need to download a couple of applications or retain a dozen login names.

Camp communications strategies that don't account for this mobile-first world are, in effect, opting to be invisible to their students. Those who embrace a mobile-native communications approach have exponentially greater engagement levels and more personal student relationships.

AI Integration: Personal Touch at Scale

Artificial intelligence is finally living up to its promise in higher education. We're talking about scaling communication. The most effective AI deployments balance automated effectiveness with real human conversation.

Media and journalism are the two prominent things that have taken over the world in the current era to provide you with the world of information, insights, and valuable data. 

The media and communication are two prominent instruments in the digital world that influence societies, opinions, and the world of discussion. To people who are fond of storytelling, journalism and the vibrant media world, Chandigarh University (CU) in Punjab is a whole world to shine. The following are five reasons why Chandigarh University is a good choice in terms of media education:

Extensive and Industry-Relevant Programmes.

The University Institute of Media Studies (UIMS) at Chandigarh University provides various courses in Journalism and Mass Communication which is aimed at keeping up with the ever- changing media environment. Programmes available to students include Undergraduate Degree of Arts (BA) in Journalism and Mass Communication, postgraduate degrees, postgraduate degree in Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Tourism and Event Management and MBA in Media and Entertainment Management. The curriculum will integrate knowledge and extensive practical training such as knowledge on the field of print journalism, digital media, PR, broadcasting, advertising, content creation, and social media management.

Modern Infrastructure and Laboratories.

UIMS has the latest facilities to offer practical experience. It has access to high-end news studios, a radio station (Radio Punjab 90.0 FM), recording and editing sound studios, design laboratories with industry standard programmes such as Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop, and a green screen studio where students can shoot videos. This infrastructure will close the divide between the classroom and the media production world, leaving graduates industry-prepared.

Faculty and Industry Mentorship by Experts.

Chandigarh University media programmes are headed by seasoned academicians and industrialists that add insights and mentoring power. Faculty members also make students abreast of the new trends and technologies in the field of media and communication. Frequent guest lectures, workshops, and masterclasses by media professionals give the students an inside perspective of the industry.

International Exposure and Internships.

Chandigarh University focuses on learning worldwide. Students are offered the chance of taking international internships such as placements in such reputable organisations like Walt Disney. Industrial visits and association with media houses enable students to meet professionals and have an exposure of live projects and can create valuable networks that can raise their career opportunities.

Preferential Placement and Professional Development.

CU media graduates have excellent placement opportunities provided by specific career services. The wide industry contacts of the university bring the best recruiters in digital media, advertising agencies, TV channels, newspaper, and PR companies. Professions such as journalism, content creation, editing, PR, social media management, broadcast production, filming, and media consultancy are all included in the list of career paths. Graduates find themselves in competitive packages and positions which mirror their skillsets and their training.

Media courses offered by CU

Under-Graduate Journalism and Mass Communication Course

Bachelor of Arts (Journalism + Mass Communication)

Post-Graduate Journalism and Mass Communication Course

Masters of Arts (Journalism + Mass Communication)

Doctorate Program

Doctor of Philosophy (Mass-Communication)

Thus, students interested in media education can pursue all these courses and make a career in journalism and mass communication. Top recruiters of these courses include Aaj tak,  news 18 India, and India TV. For easy admission, taking GMCET (Global Media Common Entrance Test) is the  best way for CU admission. 

A decision to pursue Journalism and Mass Communication at Chandigarh University is a choice to study in a dynamic and progressive academic environment that is highly-endowed with resources, leadership experience and strong employment opportunities. CU, with its modern curricula, industry contacts, and an environment of practical, all-encompassing training, is an ideal catapult to future media professionals who will be ready to leave a mark in the new media and communication landscape, which is rapidly evolving.

Artificial intelligence (AI), an innovative tool and a new challenge, AI has already begun to impose itself on journalism education. This study analyzes how AI is being employed in journalism curricula nowadays at two Turkish public universities: Ankara University and Istanbul University. Through the analysis of syllabi and a detailed interview with a teacher of journalism, the study confirms that AI has yet to be comprehensively incorporated into journalism education. The findings reveal that while both universities address digital transition, clear mentions of AI are not common. Daily use and practical exposure to AI tools do not exist. As per the analysis, the study emphasizes the need for restructuring education in journalism in Turkey to incorporate AI literacy, vocational skills, and ethics.

Learning in journalism is worth it to acquire ideas and concepts regarding professional journalistic standards and theoretical knowledge and technicalities of journalism. As Josephi (2020) clarifies, the literature teaching journalism clearly reveals attempts at bridging the theory and practice. Other than these similarities, it is only natural that journalism education would change over time and geographically. Computer-assisted journalism has been controversial in journalism and journalism education for some time. AI represents a new field of study in journalism education. It is often placed among online, mobile, and data journalism as new skills and capabilities. AI is a current buzzword in journalism education despite there having been decades of debate and scholarship in the field, and is tied with debates about new approaches, including machine-based acquisition of large data sets, and new competencies required, such as coding (Jaakkola, 2023a). Digitalization challenges and how it is framed in journalism education remains contentious.

AI holds the capability of making a profound and extensive impact in journalism production and consumption. The three main objectives of using AI are reported to be improving the effectiveness of the company, providing users with more suitable content, and simplifying journalists' work better (Beckett, 2019). It is predicted that the next decade of the media industry will be rocked by the next wave of technological disruption brought by AI-driven automation, big data, and new visual and voice interfaces. It is realized that AI is being used in news gathering, transcription, machine translation, and speech-to-text text-to-speech. It is believed that AI is opening up new opportunities. Media outlets and business publications such as Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal have used AI to create headlines about corporate earnings in real-time (Newman, 2020). It is largely discussed in terms of opportunities of AI in journalism (Caswell, 2023). Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed journalism by enabling rapid production of content, improved analysis of data, and personalized audience engagement. But along with these advances come issues, such as ethical implications, potential for spread of disinformation, and the potential for industry job displacement. Journalism education, under the responsibility of preparing students to cope with the possibilities of an AI-driven media universe, lags behind in assimilating these technologies into curriculum. As Beckett (2024) notes, while AI offers opportunities to improve journalism work, poor training in the use of generative AI tools and a lack of knowledge about their implications become key barriers for future journalists. Closing these gaps will make journalism education modern, which will provide students with technical skillset and ethical methodologies to match the evolving world.

 Journalists believe they have an obligation to adopt AI technologies early on, whether or not the technologies are used in the workplace by management through algorithmic control, monitoring of workers, or replacing jobs. Thus, The Pulitzer Center has formally introduced The AI Spotlight Series, a new training program with an objective to train 1000 journalists in the next two years on how to perform AI accountability reporting. For the purpose of explaining fundamental AI concepts to non-tech beat reporters, the first "Introduction to AI reporting" workshop brought together over 40 reporters at the University of California, Berkeley on April 21, 2024 (Deck, 2024). One can see that this new training program of seminars and short courses is an augmentation of journalism education.

The present paper analyzes how the theory and practice of AI are being implemented in education in Ankara University and Istanbul University in Turkey. These two institutions were selected since they happen to be two of the oldest schools to provide communication studies. Through a document analysis of undergraduate journalism programs and an in-depth interview with a journalism professor, the study probes if the courses are keeping pace with online journalism trends and adapting to the AI-manipulated news landscape as well as possible. It also assesses if journalism school is getting ahead of technological advancements and how students are being equipped for the challenges of a technologically evolving profession. Finally, the paper identifies the most crucial strengths and weaknesses in current curricula and evaluates how well they align with international standards in incorporating AI