THE DECLINE OF JOURNALISM SCHOOLS IN THE POST-COVID ERA: A GLOBAL AND INDIAN PERSPECTIVE
THE DECLINE OF JOURNALISM SCHOOLS IN THE POST-COVID ERA: A GLOBAL AND INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

Summary/Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly exacerbated the challenges that journalism education was already facing, leading to the widespread closure of journalism schools across the globe, with India being particularly hard hit. This article delves into the various factors contributing to the decline of these institutions, focusing on five key areas: outdated curriculum, inadequate student training, faculty lacking practical industry experience, weak partnerships with media organizations, and the financial pressures caused by rising tuition fees and stagnant graduate salaries. Outdated syllabi and training methods have left students ill-prepared for the rapidly evolving media landscape, where digital skills and multimedia storytelling are now essential. Compounding this issue is the lack of industry experience among faculty members, many of whom come from purely academic backgrounds and struggle to teach the practical skills necessary for modern journalism. The disconnect between journalism schools and the media industry has also weakened, leading to a decline in internship opportunities, hands-on training, and collaborative projects that could bridge the gap between theory and practice. Furthermore, the financial burden on students has grown, as rising fees are not matched by competitive salaries in the job market, making journalism education a less attractive investment. This article argues that targeted reforms - such as updating curriculum, fostering faculty development, strengthening industry ties, improving placement strategies, and rethinking financial models - have been lacking for decades. With these interventions, journalism schools can adapt to the changing media environment and continue to play a vital role in shaping the future of the media industry

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