Revisiting the state of journalism and journalistic education in India
The formation and development of journalistic education in India in the conditions of fastgrowing media sector is a topic that has not received sufficient disclosure in the Russian science studies. In the background of existing problems in the field of freedom of journalism as a social institution, the rights and position of journalists in this Asian country, the contemplation of the journalistic personnel training system has an undoubted research interest. Indian journalism education is a unique phenomenon which is heterogeneous in its structure, goals and objectives. The article examines and analyzes the key provisions of the system of professional training of journalists in India, the role and place of a journalist in the country, the problems of its security and social protection. Author also pays attention to professional ethics and qualifications of media workers. In general, it is concluded that Indian journalists are poorly qualified, and the editorial policy does not sufficiently reflect the social and economic realities of the country. In March 2013, the Press Council of India decided to create a committee to determine the minimum journalistic qualifications. The idea was rejected by media practitioners who claim that journalism is a vocation, but the question is still open. The work of a journalist in India, as in the rest of the world, is increasingly moving away from objectivity and impartiality, turning into a profession of a lobbyist and a PR manager, aimed at obtaining benefits mostly.