History of the Department of Communication & Journalism

The University of Mysore has many “first” to its credit. Education in Journalism is one of these. The Department of Post-Graduate Studies and Research in Journalism was started on August 9, 1972. However, the regular classes were formally inaugurated on September 20, 1972. Thus, the University of Mysore created history by introducing Journalism as a subject of study at the post-graduate level offering M.A. degree.

Dr. Nadig Krishna Murthy, Professor and Head, who is pioneer in Journalism education in India is the founder of the department.

The Government of Karnataka, the University Grants Commission and the University of Mysore have played an important role in establishing the post-graduate department  on  a  strong  base.  In  this  regard  special  mention  must  be  made   of Prof. D. Javare Gowda, former Vice-Chancellor and of Mr. D.V. Urs, former Vice-Chancellor.

The Department of Journalism at the Maharaja’s College, Mysore was started in 1951. Journalism was offered as one of the three optional subjects. Very soon this subject attracted a large number of students and gained popularity.

Dr. Nadig Krishna Murthy became the Head of the department in 1953 and strove hard  to  build  the  newly   established   department   for   more   than   two   decades.  Mr. Syed Iqbal Khadri joined Prof. Nadig Krishna Murthy in 1959, as a Lecturer.

That very year, a uniform three-year degree course was introduced in the university, according to the UGC (University Grant Commission) directive. The Bachelor of Arts B.A degree included Journalism as a major/cognate subject.

For nearly 18 years, the department used to publish an English-Kannada monthly as a laboratory journal, the PATRIKODYAMI (the Journalist). Later on the Practical training is imparted in gathering, writing, processing and disseminating news through the Manasagangotri practice journal.

In the earlier days the department derived strength from its collaboration with the School of Journalism, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, U.S.A.

Students from Bangladesh, Nepal, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Kenya, Nigeria, Mauritius, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Yemen, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Fuji, Sri Lanka,

 Uzbekistan, Thailand,and  Palestine  have  graduated  here funded byColombo Plan scholarships, ICCR Exchange Programme, .

Medals and prizes

1.Smt. Chinnamma Ramakrishna Gold Medal

The medal shall be awarded to a candidate who secure highest marks in the subject “Advertising” M.A. in Journalism degree examination after getting a minimum of a second class. In the event of being more than one candidate become eligible for this award, the award shall be made at the discretion of the University Syndicate.

2.Sampemane Krishnamurthy Gold Medal

The Gold medal should be awarded to the candidate who has passed MA (Journalism) in the first attempt in first class and has secured the highest marks in the subject of “New Editing”. If the candidate scoring the highest marks in News Editing has not secured first class then it will be awarded to one with first class, but highest marks in “Reporting”.

3.Janmabhoomi Press Trust Gold Medal

The medal shall be awarded to a candidate who obtains the highest total marks in

M.A. Journalism among those passing in first attempt. In the event of more than one candidate having the same number of marks the Gold Medal shall be awarded to the best of them at the discretion of the university.

4.The Late Purnaik Gundacharya Memorial Prize

The cash prize is a awarded to a candidate who obtains highest marks in subject Newspaper Business Management in M.A. (Journalism) degree exam among those passing in the First Attempt. In the event of more than one candidate having the same number of marks, the cash prize shall be awarded to the best of them at the discretion of the University.

5.Agaram Rangaiah Memorial cash prize

The prize shall be awarded to a candidate who obtains highest marks in Comp. Journalism at MA among those passed in the first attempt. In the event of more than one candidate having the same number of marks the cash prize may be divided among them.

6.The Zee News Gold Medal

The gold medal should be awarded to the candidate who has passed M.A. Communication and Journalism examination in Television Programmed Production Techniques subject/paper in First Attempt and securing highest marks (for whatever year/semesters the marks of which are taken for declaration of class) as proposed by the donors.

7.Star of Mysore Silver Jubilee Endowment Medal

The gold medal should be awarded to the candidate who has passed M.A. Exam in Journalism subject paper in First Attempt and securing the highest marks in the entire course (in all the papers). The candidate however must have study in English Medium.

8.Dr. Nadig Krishnamurthy, Felicitation Endowment Committee Cash Prize

The prize shall be awarded to a candidate who secures highest marks in the paper

Editing Practice at the M.A. Journalism Degree Exam.

9.Dr. Masti Venkatesha Iyengar Gouravartha Gold Medal

The gold medal shall be awarded to a candidate who secures highest marks in the entire course and passes in first attempt. If two or more students compete for the same medal, then during that year, gold medal can be converted into cash prize and distribute among the winners

Special Lectures

In order to improve the knowledge of students with regard to the practical aspect of the field of Journalism, the post-graduate department arranges lectures by prominent mass communicators and scholars.

A series of special lectures will be arranged every year with the generous help of the university, exclusive of other general lectures covered in the normal course.

The most prominent is the Janmabhoomi Trust Endowment Lecture. Every year an internationally reputed journalist will be invited to deliver this lecture at the university. This is financed by the Janmabhoomi Trust, Bangalore.

The first of these lectures entitled “Journalism as a Factor in Democracy” was delivered by Padma Phushana Tushar Kanti Ghosh, Chief Editor, Amrita Bazar Patrika, Calcutta, on February 3, 1972. The second lecture was delivered by Mr. D.R.Mankekar, former Editor of the Indian Express on September 12, 1974 entitled “An open society and a free press”.

Model Press Conference;

Model Press Conferences are also conducted to give practical training to the students. Persons distinguished in different fields of the public life are invited to address the students of the department.

Plant

Post-graduate students are given practical training in printing and other allied work in the University Printing Press. This press is well-equipped with modern machines. Practice Journal

A laboratory weekly, the Manasa Gangotri is being published by the post- graduate Journalism department. Students are required to report and write news, articles, reviews, features and editorials for the journal under the supervision and guidance of the teaching staff. This is intended to give them the necessary practical training in the field of active Journalism. The students are also guided to take up freelance Journalism. Their work will also be assesse

Teleprinter News Service

With a view to impart practical training in sub-editing, the post-graduate department has subscribed to the United News Service. News copies are to be edited and headlined by the students under the guidance of the teachers.

e-journal;

The students bring out daily e-journal based on UNI news services.

UGC – SAP - Project

University Grants Commission Assistance to the Department of Communication and Journalism, University of Mysore, Mysore - 570 006 at the level of DRS – 1 for 5 years from 01-04-2007 to 31-03-2012 under Special Assistant Programme (SAP)

Thrust area is, Tribal development support communication in Karnataka State.

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Location

The department is located at Manasagangotri postgraduate campus of the university. Click on the image below for a detailed map of the campus and the city.


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