Parul University Journalism Students Gain Industry Exposure Inside Major Indian Newsrooms
Parul University journalism and mass communication students have completed an intensive six-day Delhi media leadership tour that took them inside some of India's biggest television, digital, print and news-agency operations. The August 2026 immersion included visits to India TV, NDTV, TV9, Republic Media Network, News18, the India Today Network and Aaj Tak, Press Trust of India, Hindustan Times and Live Hindustan, giving students direct exposure to live television production, reporting, verification, print production, newsroom economics, anchoring and the growing challenge of AI-generated misinformation.
The experiential initiative was designed to move journalism education beyond lectures and textbooks by placing students inside working newsrooms and in direct conversation with journalists, editors, anchors and media professionals.
Students also visited the Parliament of India, attended the Jagran Film Festival and carried out a practical piece-to-camera exercise at India Gate, connecting classroom concepts with reporting environments they may encounter professionally.
Parul University Delhi Media Leadership Tour: Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
| Duration | Six days |
| Period | August 2026 |
| Focus | Journalism, newsroom operations and media leadership |
| Major TV Newsrooms | India TV, NDTV, TV9, Republic, News18, India Today/Aaj Tak |
| News Agency | Press Trust of India |
| Print/Digital Media | Hindustan Times and Live Hindustan |
| Field Reporting Exercise | 60-second PTC at India Gate with 10 minutes' preparation |
| Additional Visits | Parliament of India, Jagran Film Festival, Humayun's Tomb |
Students Met Leading Journalists and Editors
Parul University's account of the tour lists interactions with prominent media professionals including India TV Chairman Rajat Sharma, NDTV's Padmaja Joshi, India Today's Rajdeep Sardesai, Press Trust of India's Shuja ul Haq, TV9's Saurabh Agarwal, Live Hindustan's Pratima Sharma Kumar and Republic editors Niranjan Narayanaswamy and Ram Mohan Sharma.
Students also interacted with journalists and professionals across the India Today Network and encountered discussions involving actor Taapsee Pannu at the Jagran Film Festival.
Rajat Sharma Focused on Credibility and Ethics
A major theme of the tour was the importance of credibility in journalism.
During a session with students, Rajat Sharma emphasised what Parul University summarised as a commitment to journalism that is:
- Free
- Fair
- Fearless
The broader lesson was that visibility or instant fame cannot substitute for public trust.
Why Credibility Matters More in the AI Era
Journalists today compete not only with other news organisations but also with:
- Social-media posts
- Anonymous accounts
- AI-generated content
- Deepfakes
- Manipulated audio and video
A professional newsroom therefore needs a stronger verification culture than ever.
Students Learned About AI Deepfakes
Artificial intelligence emerged repeatedly during the tour.
Rajat Sharma described examples in which manipulated videos used his face and voice to falsely promote products, illustrating how realistic synthetic media can damage both individuals and public trust.
What Journalism Students Need to Know About Deepfakes
A journalist examining suspicious digital material should consider:
- Original source
- Upload history
- Audio inconsistencies
- Visual manipulation
- Independent confirmation
- Official statements
PTI Introduced Students to a Three-Source Verification Discipline
At Press Trust of India, students learned directly about verification from Shuja ul Haq, identified by the university as Editor for Planning and Foreign Affairs.
The session highlighted a three-source verification discipline used to avoid rushing unconfirmed information into publication.
Speed Is Not the Same as Journalism
A social-media account can publish a claim immediately.
A newsroom has a different responsibility.
Before publication, professional journalists may need to establish:
- Who made the claim?
- What evidence supports it?
- Can another independent source confirm it?
- Has the affected party been contacted?
Students Saw How a Television Newsroom Works
Visits to News18, TV9, Republic and NDTV gave students an opportunity to follow a story through the production chain.
Parul University's description of the tour explains that the process begins at the assignment desk, where incoming information is evaluated and reporters are deployed before a story moves through editorial, production and broadcast systems.
What Does an Assignment Desk Do?
The assignment desk can be responsible for:
- Monitoring breaking information
- Contacting reporters
- Assigning field coverage
- Tracking developing stories
- Coordinating live inputs
The Anchor Is Only the Visible End of a Larger System
A television bulletin can involve:
- Reporters
- Producers
- Editors
- Graphics teams
- Camera operators
- Control-room staff
- Assignment editors
Understanding these roles helps students see broadcasting as teamwork rather than simply on-camera performance.
Students Were Told to Become Journalists Before Trying to Become Anchors
One recurring lesson from the professional interactions was that anchoring should be built on journalistic ability.
NDTV's Padmaja Joshi advised students that reporting can be a stronger foundation for a career than chasing an anchor position immediately.
Across the India Today Network, students heard similar guidance: learn journalism first and anchoring second.
What Skills Does a Strong Anchor Need?
Professional anchoring requires more than voice and appearance.
Students need abilities involving:
- Research
- News judgement
- Interviewing
- Camera awareness
- Editing
- Graphics
- Breaking-news handling
Live Television Creates a Different Kind of Pressure
An anchor cannot simply stop a live broadcast to rewrite every sentence.
That means preparation, subject knowledge and calm decision-making become essential.
Students Completed a 60-Second PTC at India Gate
One of the tour's practical exercises challenged students to produce a 60-second piece to camera at India Gate with just 10 minutes to prepare.
What Is a PTC?
PTC means Piece to Camera.
It is a reporting format in which the journalist speaks directly to the camera from the location of a story.
A Strong PTC Should Do More Than Repeat Facts
It can:
- Establish the location
- Explain why the location matters
- Add context
- Connect visuals with the story
Ten Minutes of Preparation Simulates Real Reporting Pressure
Breaking-news reporters may have very little time to:
- Confirm facts
- Structure a script
- Coordinate with a camera operator
- Go live
Students Also Saw Newspaper Production at Hindustan Times
The tour included a technical walkthrough of newspaper printing.
Students were shown three broad production stages:
| Stage | Function |
| Pre-Press | Digital pages are prepared for printing |
| Press | Physical newspaper pages are printed at high speed |
| Mail Room | Copies are bundled and prepared for distribution |
This exposed students to the industrial and logistical side of print journalism that is often invisible to readers.
Print Journalism Requires Technical Precision
A late error can affect thousands of physical copies.
Unlike a website, a newspaper cannot simply edit an already distributed printed edition.
Students Learned How Newsrooms Make Money
At Live Hindustan, students also explored the commercial side of journalism with professionals involved in the business operations of news.
The discussion included newsroom economics, advertising and the financial model that supports journalistic operations.
Why Journalism Students Need to Understand Media Economics
News organisations need revenue to fund:
- Reporting teams
- Studios
- Technology
- Printing
- Travel
- Legal support
Common News Revenue Models
Modern media companies can rely on combinations of:
- Advertising
- Subscriptions
- Events
- Branded content
- Licensing
- Syndication
Commercial Pressure and Editorial Independence Must Be Separated
Understanding the business side of media should also teach students why editorial and advertising functions need clearly defined ethical boundaries.
Students Were Encouraged to Find a Journalism Niche
Professionals repeatedly encouraged students to develop depth in a subject.
Padmaja Joshi advised students to identify an area they genuinely want to understand deeply.
TV9's Saurabh Agarwal summarised the idea as becoming a master of one area while remaining a student of many.
Possible Journalism Specialisations
Students can build expertise in areas such as:
- Politics
- Business
- Sports
- Technology
- Education
- Health
- Law
- Environment
- International affairs
Specialisation Does Not Mean Losing Versatility
A strong journalist may have one deep subject area while also knowing how to:
- Write
- Shoot video
- Edit
- Use social platforms
- Read data
Modern Journalism Is Increasingly Multimedia
One reporter may now be expected to create:
- Written story
- Short video
- Social-media update
- Live report
- Podcast segment
Parul University's Journalism Programs Emphasise Practical Training
The university's current BA Journalism and Mass Communication program states that students receive exposure to reporting, video production, social-media strategy and multimedia storytelling.
Its postgraduate journalism program similarly highlights newsroom simulations, media labs, internships, video editing, content strategy and data-driven journalism.
BA Journalism and Mass Communication
Current university information lists the standard BA Journalism and Mass Communication program as a three-year qualification.
A four-year honours pathway in Journalism and Modern Media is also described by the university.
Who Can Study Journalism?
The university's current undergraduate eligibility information says candidates who have passed Class 12 in Science, Commerce or Arts with English from a recognised board can apply under the stated admission requirements.
Journalism Careers Extend Beyond TV Anchoring
Graduates can work in areas involving:
- Reporting
- Editing
- Digital journalism
- Broadcasting
- Content production
- Social media
- Corporate communication
- Public relations
Data Journalism Is Growing
Modern reporters increasingly need to interpret:
- Government datasets
- Election data
- Economic indicators
- Research studies
Media Law Is Essential
Journalists should understand issues involving:
- Defamation
- Privacy
- Copyright
- Contempt
- Source protection
Journalism Students Need AI Literacy
Future reporters need to know how AI can assist with:
- Transcription
- Data analysis
- Translation
- Research organisation
while also understanding risks involving:
- Hallucinated facts
- Fabricated citations
- Deepfakes
- Bias
AI Should Not Replace Verification
If an AI tool produces a fact, a journalist still needs evidence.
Why Experiential Learning Matters in Journalism
A classroom can teach:
- News values
- Writing structure
- Media ethics
A newsroom teaches students how those principles work under real deadlines.
Internships and Industry Visits Are Different
An industry visit provides observation.
An internship provides sustained work experience.
Students ideally benefit from both.
Build a Journalism Portfolio Before Graduation
A strong student portfolio can contain:
- Reported articles
- PTCs
- Video packages
- Interviews
- Data stories
- Podcast work
Final Takeaway
Parul University's six-day Delhi media leadership tour gave journalism students direct exposure to some of India's major television, print, digital and news-agency operations, including India TV, NDTV, TV9, Republic, News18, India Today/Aaj Tak, PTI, Hindustan Times and Live Hindustan.
The experience went beyond newsroom sightseeing. Students learned PTI-style verification, followed the television production process, explored newspaper printing and media economics, discussed AI and deepfakes, interacted with senior journalists and completed a timed 60-second piece to camera at India Gate.
The broader lesson for aspiring journalists is that modern media careers demand more than writing ability. Verification, multimedia production, subject expertise, ethics, AI literacy, live-reporting skills and understanding of newsroom economics are becoming increasingly interconnected.
