Social Media has emerged as a powerful platform of communication, information and networking in India and worldwide during the last decade. Apart from the common citizens, activists and celebrities from different fields of public life, including writers, journalists, social scientists, political leaders, sports persons and actors, business firms and companies, groups and organizations are actively using blogs, podcasts, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, Snapchat etc. as a medium of expression, dialogue and reaching people. Social Media is also widely used for Public Relations and Publicity.

New Media especially Social Media have played a remarkable role in democratization of communication and empowerment of the citizenry. The medium has given voice to the socially marginalized communities who were scarcely represented or absent from the mainstream news media. Social Media has provided a tool to the citizens to ensure accountability of governments and administration. On the other hand governments have also become more responsive and sensitive to the people’s voices.

Internet based Online or Web Journalism has created its distinct place in new media. Online Journalism has raised serious and grave challenges in front of the traditional mediums of Print, Radio and Television. In developed countries Social Media and Online News media have become primary source of information and news. This trend is also visible in developing countries like India. In fewer resources many news portals, web magazines, websites of newspapers/news channels and online editions, YouTube channels etc. are gaining popularity and making their presence felt strongly in the broader mediascape.

All this has transformed journalistic practices and journalism as a profession. Due to the convergence of various types of media in new digital media, traditional divisions between print and broadcast are not relevant anymore and platform agnostic journalism is gaining ground rapidly. Newsrooms have become integrated; roles and responsibilities of editorial teams are changing and there is an increasing demand for technically sound media professionals. However, the basic tenets of journalism, media ethics and norms and social responsibilities of journalists remain the same. The changes are visible in the way’s reports are gathered, processed, edited and presented. There is an increased stress on Multi-media storytelling. Mobile Journalism (MoJo) has also emerged as a distinct media practice.

While democratizing the communication and mediascape the digital media especially Social Media and messaging apps like WhatsApp have also provided an opportunity to vested political interests and trolls who are using this instant medium to spread rumors, misinformation and hatred at a large scale. Due to this the digital public sphere has become a toxic place where the government and society are finding it hard to maintain harmony, peace and social order. However, what is assuring here is the fact that digital media has also given rise to a new breed of factcheckers who are relentlessly engaged in exposing the lies, propaganda and Fake news.

The revolution in Information technology and the accompanied changes in mediascape have created new job opportunities and alternative avenues of expression for media professionals. The launch of new digital platforms and apps will continue in future also. It is necessary to have in-depth understanding and multimedia skills to work in digital media. The MA course in Social Media and Web Journalism is designed with this objective only. The course aims to equip students with essential technical skills as well as basic understanding required to work for these new digital media platforms.

Our pedagogy emphasizes on imparting knowledge and skills both. We aim to cultivate critical understanding of journalistic principles, media laws and ethics simultaneously imparting technical skills and professional education. Students will get the opportunity to learn writing and editing as well as multimedia presentation. In-depth study of media business, ownership, management, entrepreneurship, public relations, advertising, social media marketing and engagement are some other unique features of this course. This course enables students to become masters in the field of new media and motivate them to become media entrepreneur also.