How useful are media internships? Ask a university professor and he will insist that they are essential. “They are a very integral part of our programme. How else will our students get practical knowledge?” he will argue.
Ask a news editor. He will throw up his arms in despair. “I already have my hands full. I can’t have half-baked journalists knocking around my newsroom,” will be the stock answer in most newsrooms.
The good news is that Indian media has never closed its doors on interns. All requests for internships have been warmly entertained, and continue to be accepted.
The question is: are media internships relevant today? If not, then why not?
There are three reasons why media internships have become a waste of time for media students, and a source of annoyance for media houses.
Reason 1
Customised software: The software and hardware being used in newsrooms today are far more sophisticated than in the past. The chances are that most interns may not be familiar with them. Also, several media houses use proprietary or customized software. The interns need training to use it. Passwords have to be created to grant them access. All this is additional work, and invariably causes grumbling all around.
Reason 2
Work process: The work process is automated, and works like an assembly line operation right from the creation of the news report to its placement on the news page. Each member of the editorial team has a specific role. An error introduced at the editing stage can often get into print. It is therefore important that experienced editors handle copy. The job of editing or page making cannot be left to raw interns. The news editors, who are willing to take the risk, have to check the edited copy themselves or depute a senior staff member to do this. This involves delays, and waste of valuable manpower.
Reason 3
Staff strength: Most media houses today work with the minimum staff. It is not like the past where there were extra hands who could be assigned the task of mentoring the interns. The result is that an intern often hangs around the newsroom waiting to be assigned work. This can be highly frustrating for media students who approach internships with such high hopes and dreams.
So, what is the solution? A good solution is the discontinuation of internships, and investment on technology by media institutes. Media schools should train their students in new technology. They should also modify their curriculum so that there is greater stress on practical skills.
No one will regret the absence of internships if a student joins a newspaper or TV channel fully trained to handle his duties from day one like a good professional.
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