Communication Careers: Journalism vs. Public Relations

Communication studies majorly revolve around the spectrums of mass media, advertising, and technical communication systems. Communication subjects and careers had always been considered out-of-the-box for their deviation from regular and conventional educational realms and challenging working techniques. With the increased awareness amongst students and parents and less fear of following one’s passion, the communication sector has witnessed growth recently. It has also led to more researched course curricula, newer specialisations and job opportunities. Journalism and Public Relations are closely connected yet distinctive, here is everything you need to know about both the courses, their structure, course enrolment eligibility, and career prospects.

Journalism vs. Public Relations: Course Duration and Eligibility

The academic courses of journalism and public relations had been designed for multiple course types, ranging from bachelor's to master's and diploma programmes.
The timespan for each type of course is as follows:

BA. Journalism: 3 years
MA. Journalism: 2 years
Diploma in Journalism: 6 months - 18 months.

BA. Public Relations: 3 years
MA. Public Relations: 2 years
Diploma in Public Relations: 6 months- 18 months

The eligibility criteria for joining bachelor's and diploma programmes for both programmes are completing 12th or equivalent studies with a university-accepted aggregate.
The eligibility criteria for enrolling on a master’s programme is the completion of a bachelor’s degree with a university-accepted aggregate.

Journalism vs. Public Relations: Course Curriculum

Journalism and Public Relations are often considered new-age academic courses with the potential to bring iconic changes to society. The course structure for the courses has been drafted with precision by field experts to create a positive and progressive impact among students.

Curated subjects for Journalism: Writing for Media, Socio-Economic and political Scenarios, Introduction to Communication, Basics of Design and graphics, History of Print and Broadcasting in India, Media Laws and Ethics, Photography, Print Journalism, Development and communication, Radio Journalism & Production, Basics of Camera, Lights & Sound, Television Journalism & Production, Public Relations, News Media, Advertising Practices, Media Research, Media Organisation & Management, and Global Media Scenario.

Curated subjects for Public Relations: Communication Media, Communicative English, Introduction to Computers, Media Publishing, Computer Graphics, Creativity and Design Skills. Script and Story Boarding, Audio Recording and Editing, Video Recording and Editing, Web Media, Multimedia Designing and Authoring, Modelling and Animation, Electronic Media Production, Multimedia Projects

Journalism vs. Public Relations: Career Opportunities

Journalism and Public Relations are two industries that play a crucial role in the rightful functioning of society in general. Both fields are challenging, learning and career-promising in nature. Here are some of the career paths to choose from after pursuing a course in journalism and public relations.

Career options for students after opting for Journalism

1. News Reader: Host TV news shows and other interviews on publicly relevant issues and more.
2. Reporter: Covers news and events and informs the same society through news channels and other social media platforms.
3. Content writing: Writes long-form and short-type content for different topics as per the client's requirement.
4. Digital marketing: Creates and runs creative ads on various social media platforms with the eye to grasp the attention of potential customers.
5. Fashion photography: Engaged in capturing the latest fashion trends. They either work for magazines and shows or even as a freelancer.
6. Event management: Hosts and plans the event from scratch to the final post-success events.
7. Film industry: Numerous roles are available in the film industry to work on, from film journalists to programme coordinators, production managers and more.
8. TV correspondent: Involves in researching and gathering the relevant set of news for broadcasting on channels.

Career options for students after opting for Public Relations

1. Marketing Coordinator: This role involves strategizing, coordinating and executing marketing campaigns and other projects on behalf of the company.
2. Copywriter: Writes marketing and advertising copies for increased conversion rates
3. Fundraiser: Finds the appropriate investor and pitches the project for raising capital and running finance.
4. Direct marketing spokesperson: Engaged in creating strategies and promoting products and services to a population inclusive of potential customers.
5. Media buyer: Works as an advertising professional effectively negotiating and purchasing ad space for marketing purposes.
6. Public information officer: Works in government offices and other public administrative offices, and provides necessary information to citizens and other organizations.

In Short

The academic courses in Journalism and Public Relations are intended to foster thoughtful analyses and multiperspective understanding of the issues and functioning of the world. Though journalism and public relations intersect in specific areas, they are two distinct courses with specific areas of focus and core studies. However, while considering opting for a specific course for bachelor's or master's programmes, it is advisable for students to thoroughly go through the curriculum and career prospects before selecting a stream.

FAQs

Q1. Which is better Journalism or Public Relations?

A1. There is no better option between the two, as both Journalism and Public Relations have their unique strengths.
Journalism is better suited for those who want to specialise in factual reporting and storytelling. In contrast, Public Relations is a more proactive and versatile profession that deals with brand communication, campaign development and building relationships with different stakeholders.
Journalism might be right up your alley should you choose to specialise; the latter being PR should you enjoy the multitasking and strategic communication on behalf of clients or brands.

Q2. Can you work in PR with a Journalism degree?

A2.Yes. You can work in PR with a Journalism degree. Journalism experience fosters critical skills such as effective writing, interviewing techniques, an overall familiarity with how a newsroom functions, and general knowledge of how to pitch stories to the media.
These skills are useful in the field of public relations. The journalism course trains you to turn information into compelling narratives and to present stories appealingly.
A BA in Journalism & Mass Communication is helpful as this programme prepares you to pursue careers in journalism, public relations, advertising, and related fields.

Q3. Is PR a fulfilling career?

A3. Yes. PR offers a dynamic and engaging work environment where you can apply your creativity and strategic thinking while building strong professional relationships.
Despite challenges such as tight deadlines and competition, the opportunity to influence public opinion and contribute to a brand’s success makes it a rewarding profession.

Q4. Are Journalism and Public Relations fundamentally different in scope?

A4. Yes. Journalism and Public Relations are fundamentally different in scope. Journalism focuses on objectively reporting facts to serve the public, with a broad, general audience and creative freedom in story selection.
Conversely, Public Relations aims to influence a certain target audience by developing strategic messages on behalf of clients or brands.

Q5. Is PR in high demand?

A5. Yes. PR is in high demand and is anticipated to grow by 10 per cent in the coming decade. Firms are currently turning to PR to develop a powerful brand image, build trust, and establish loyalty with customers. Skilled professionals are needed across industries to manage communication and public perception. High-paying roles include Media Relations Managers, Celebrity Managers, Corporate PR Specialists and more.