Reasons for J schools shutting down?

The journalism landscape in Bengaluru is changing as the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media (IIJNM) discontinues its journalism programmes, following the closure of other media schools like Convergence Institute of Media Management and IT Studies (Commits). The shift in student preferences after the pandemic has impacted journalism education, with a decline in admissions to specialized journalism schools.

John Thomas, former head of IIJNM, notes a fall in the quality of journalism applicants and emphasizes the importance of formal training amidst the rise of citizen journalism. The denigration of journalists and journalism, along with economic disruptions exacerbated by the pandemic, have further affected the industry.

Despite challenges, institutions like College of Journalism Media and Communication (CJMC) at Dayananda Sagar University and the National School of Journalism (NSoJ) are adapting their offerings to meet changing demands. Fr Richard Rego from St Joseph’s University remains optimistic, citing increased interest in their communication programmes.