Introducing myself and my journal: Pen

About Me:
As a journalist and media academic I would like to improve quality of journalism through media education, curriculum development and media awareness through citizen journalism. I would also like to create a mechanism to critically analyze news and media to promote excellence and integrity in the practice of journalism and also nurture alternate media that informs citizens and enlightens public discourse.

Current Position

Senior Journalist & Head of Development Communication division- Patrika - July 2009
Patrika is the largest circulated dailies in India. Among top 30 dailies of the World
Feature Editor- BEE (intellectual magazine for women) - January 2008
A quarterly magazine published by a passionate group of journalists from UK

Experience

Have founded journalism departments at affiliated colleges and later at newspaper. Have been an initiator.

Founder Head, Mindpool School of Journalism - July 2005- July 2009
An academic division of the Patrika group set up to meet in house needs
News Editor, News Today, an evening paper – Dec 2005 – July 2005
As part of launch team of the paper of Patrika group, now leading in two states
Founder Head, Department of Journalism, ICG College – April 1999 - December- 2005
A PG department of University affiliated college

Education

PhD – April 2010
Media Education in India- A Critical Study of Select States
NET-national level exam for lectureship in Journalism – 1997
First candidate in the state to clear this exam
Masters degree of Journalism – 1997
Gold medalist
Bachelor’s degree of Journalism – 1994
Position holder and President of the Student Union of University Department
Bachelor’s degree in Science – 1993
Vice President of the Student Union of the College

Portfolio and areas of work

I started as a news journalist, later developed interest in writing feature articles and media education. I partly agree that journalism can’t be taught but strongly believe in a structured training for journalists to practice ethical and socially productive journalism.
I have been writing features for Bee magazine- wrote one on Taj Mahal tracing related controversy and another Unholy Fathers raising the issue of harassment in convents. A recent campaign on Solar Energy in Patrika was adjudged as the best in house campaign expediting the passage of solar policy in the state. Recent editorial article on development efforts in north east was written after attending All India Editor’s Conference in Assam.
I am associated with public broadcasters- ‘Doordarshan’ (TV) for debates and election telecasts (anchored assembly and parliamentary election discussions 2008 - 2009) and ‘All India Radio’ as expert in radio counseling programmes (Gyanvani channel) for journalism students.
In media industry for more than a decade (began journalistic career in 1994- 1995 by exploring news agency, radio, print and TV media as freelancer in initial years) now occasionally contributing on varied themes of media, development and society in feature and editorial columns. Also contributed for media column of national Hindi daily of repute ‘Hindustan’ on media issues (2008 - 2009).

Academic Writing and Research

I have been contributing academic articles in media journals and sites like Media Watch, Vidura, thehoot, Communication Today etc ( 1994- 2010). My research articles on Scope of Evening Dailies and Critical Analysis of Opinion Poll by news magazines in Assembly elections ( 2004) were well received by media, as a consequence was invited as Panel Expert at E-Tv, a regional channel for live telecast of Lok Sabha ( Parliamentary ) elections- May 2004 at Hyderabad. I have been co author of text books for media students on PR, news and press laws. As assistant editor I served a quarterly media journal for 15 years. I am associated with different Media departments as visiting faculty and examiner.

My Passions:
Media Writing and Education

My Challenges:
Execution of Bright Ideas and getting Funds

My Vision for the Future:
Vibrant Social Media

My Areas of Expertise:
Media Education and Development Communication