Convergent might sound like a term used in geometry. But it is actually a prefix for a course called convergent journalism. And it is a very popular subject offered by the Mass Communication Research Centre (MCRC) of the Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi. An institution renowned for having produced some of the best professionals from the media and the film world, MCRC started a one-year diploma in journalism two summers ago. From 2007, it was turned into a full-fledged two-year masters programme.

So what is convergent journalism? Convergent journalism is a synthesis of print, broadcast, online and photojournalism. For a student of journalism, it is not enough today to know only about the print media, or just about the electronic media. A student gets an opportunity to look at the common planks that unite the various streams of journalism, as well as the differences that mark them out. It helps him to multitask, as well as choose a subject for specialisation.

Students use a multimedia news laboratory, which is one of its kind in the country. The course provides training in the use of software tools such as Photoshop and Nuendo for audio editing. The course also conducts a one-month workshop for students from all the streams with the best of people in journalism. BBC and US Consulate education officers play an important role in the workshop.

The ambience of the institute is encouraging. The classrooms are spacious and equipped with plasma TVs. “The environment in MCRC is very healthy,” says Neha Sethi, a student. “We are being trained in all streams of journalism. We have guest lecturers and workshops,” she says. But getting admission to the course is not easy. One has to clear a rigorous two-tier written test followed by an interview. You need to prepare a portfolio for the interview, which means putting together everything that you have written or published, or the photographs that you may have taken.

Another student, Gaurav Kumar, says he appreciates the way the course is structured. He points out that it offers various options — from working in the corporate world to branching out into advertising. And teaching journalism, of course, is also an option. “There is emphasis on theory in the first year,” adds student Kunal Majumdar. “Objectivity is the perspective that is expected from us.” In the final year, a student specialises in the stream of his or her choice — it could be video or radio journalism or photojournalism.

The main approach of the course is an integrated one. The convergence of diverse streams necessitates flexibility. A convergent course helps a journalist to move from one stream to another. The department’s placement cell is in touch with news organisations for suitable placements for its students.

But the course has some drawbacks. For instance, there is no specialisation in print journalism in the final year. Some students complain that there is too much pressure on them to meet deadlines.

According to course co-ordinator Prof. Obaid Siddiqui, convergence is the new buzzword. “With the convergence of technologies, a new form of storytelling is emerging. Students need to learn this new form. Journalism in today’s world is undergoing a lot of changes. We are trying to create thinking journalists,” he says.

Vital Statistics

WHAT IS IT? An integrated masters degree course in print, broadcast, online and photo journalism.

HO’S THE BOSS? Prof. Obaid Siddiqui is the course co-coordinator.

What is the course fee? Rs 64,600 and there are 20 seats.

Where to stay? Both on campus and off campus options are available. The cost for hostel accommodation is about Rs 18,500 for a year.

Where is it? Maulana Mohammed Ali Jauhar Marg, New Delhi-110025.
Phone: 011-26987285 / 6812
Fax: 011-26986811
Email: contact@ajkmcrc.org
Website: www.ajkmcrc.org

MEETA AHLAWAT