What is Mobile Journalism (MoJo) – Reality of Today’s Journalism

What is Mobile Journalism or MOJO

With continuous modifications and advances in technology, news and information have always found new ways to reach out to their audiences in the form of print newspapers, radio, and broadcast. In recent years, a new and more unconventional manner of reporting news has emerged all over the globe. This new journalism practice is famously known as MOJO or Mobile Journalism. In simple words, mobile journalism is a process of gathering news information, carving it into a rightful story through editing applications, and finally, publishing it for the audience, and all of this is done on a single device i.e. a mobile phone.

It is journalism for the phone and by the phone which requires constant reinventions, be it with the kind of story told to the audience, or with the equipment used, keeping in mind the audience that a media organization is catering to Initially, mobile phones were used as a tool of crowd-sourcing where the citizens sent visual information of events such as natural disasters or bombing to the news organizations. 

Technological advances have enhanced the communication process. Now, it is easier, faster, and more convenient to connect and interact with people through social media platforms. Various social media organisations too, are working towards establishing a strong channel to engage audiences with quality videos and comments. The rise in technology and shift in communication process have magnified audience involvement by manifolds and now, facts and stories have started getting cross-verified by the viewers.

Mobile Journalism in India

Mobile Journalism is the youngest and the most convenient mobile tool, reaching out to several parts of the world rapidly. Indian media, too, realized the potential and usage of Mobile Journalism in India is now at its peak. Many renowned Indian Media organizations are practicing mobile journalism, which has improved audience traffic on their websites and pages. Almost all media organizations have developed mobile applications to provide on-your-fingertip services to their consumers. Mobile Journalism is a boon for Indian media with a very bright scope.

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Mobile Journalism Scope

Growing trends in internet connectivity and smartphone handsets stand as major factors to support the potential of mobile journalism as an upcoming journalism practice in Indian Media. Several studies show favorable growth conditions which may prove advantageous for Mobile Journalism to develop in the Indian habitat. Indians are now moving towards consuming information on their mobile phones. Entertainment, news, social networking, and online communication, all are available on a single affordable device.

According to Mary Meeker’s research, Indian users/audiences spend an average of 28 hours on their phones per week. On the contrary, an average of 4 hours and 2 hours are spent on television and print respectively. In addition to this, 62% of the users who own smartphones surf social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter regularly. The introduction of affordable smartphones and cheap internet services in Indian markets have accelerated the process of news consumption on the Mobile Phone, especially, in the past two years. The growth is not limited to urban areas 37.7% of internet traffic is recorded from the rural areas of India with 16% internet penetration which makes them the areas for future market growth. 

Pros and Cons of Mobile Journalism

The pros of mobile journalism are endless. Mobile journalism allows journalists to be flexible. This form of journalism also allows journalists to move information in a variety of fashions. It costs less to have because the journalists won’t have to carry around large, specialty equipment everywhere they go.

You can’t have something good without it having issues too. Some cons come with mobile journalism. The transmission of information is limited by infrastructure. The technology hasn’t necessarily caught up to people’s desires. There have also been problems with quality and the apps work until they don’t.

Mobile Journalism is the beginning of a minimalistic journalism era that requires proper infrastructure and better reachability, i.e. affordable smartphones and better internet access. According to the recent data and evident growth in both mobile phone companies and internet service providers, India is a rich and potential state for MOJO to get started and accepted by Indian media sooner or later.

Mobile Journalism Courses

The popular UG and PG level Journalism courses are given below: 

Popular Undergraduate Journalism Courses	Popular Postgraduate Journalism Courses
Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC)	Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC)
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Journalism	MA Journalism
BA Convergent Journalism	MA Convergent Journalism
Bachelor of Media Science	PG Diploma Course in Journalism (English) and (Hindi)
BSc in Mass Communication and Journalism	PG Diploma in Print and Broadcast Journalism

Job Profiles In Mobile Journalism

The below-mentioned lists mention a few prominent career options one can land with a degree in Journalism in hand: 

Content Marketer: Content marketers engage in creating videos, manifesting and curating articles and images by the editorial calendars to increase brand reach and awareness, increase product sales, start brand-related conversations, and create a sense of belongingness between the customers and brands.

Public relations specialist: Public relations professionals play a significant role in curating and maintaining a favorable public image for the organizations they represent and write press releases to shape public opinion and increase brand awareness and reach.

Reporter: This career is ideal for those who want to create newsworthy stories, pitch news segments, or develop content for television and digital publications. Having an option to work both, in front of and behind the cameras, reporting is considered to be one of the most significant jobs in Journalism. 

Top Recruiters for Journalism

Journalism being diverse and practical attracts much more than one can think of. Present-day and modernized-based Journalism attracts recruiters from all walks of, be it the corporate zone or the rampant changing political zones. The below-mentioned is a list of a few top recruiters for Journalism.

• Hindustan Times
• Times Group
• The Hindu
• India Group Today
• NDTV
• Zee Network
• The Indian Express
• BBC
• Network 18
• HT Media

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