The spread of internet and the effects of globalisation, it was prophesied, would wipe out regional languages taking local cultures along with it. The consequent belief went that English would bolster its position as the undisputed universal language. But, the experience of the heydays of the internet was, at best, counter-intuitive. Not only have regional languages stood their ground, websites that feature regional content are most sought after on the web while creating good revenue for its owners.
A recent study by Big Four audit firm, KPMG and search giant Google have found that at least 70 percent of Indians have more faith in local language digital content over English content. The study also found that the users of regional language content far outstrips those who prefer English content and projects the number of the former would be almost three times that of the latter come 2021. The trend reflects the global shift towards content in regional language. If almost 80 percent of the content online in the mid-1990s were in English, it has come down to 27 percent by 2011. So it should come as no surprise that many media houses in the country, who were limited their scope to English alone up until recently, are trying to spread their wings in the digital scene in local Indian languages.
Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) - Kottayam was one of the institutes that got wind of the impending transformation in the digital space and designed a course keeping the demands of the new age in mind. The institute has called for applications to its new Malayalam journalism course that will commence in August 2017.
"The change in the way news is being consumed was one of the reasons we considered the idea of starting the course. Digital media is on the rise owing to the proliferation of internet users. If forecasts are anything to go by, the future looks bright for vernacular journalism in digital platforms," says Deepu Joy, assistant professor at IIMC Kottayam.
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Another important reason, Joy says, they considered the idea of a course in Malayalam journalism was to improve the quality of journalism in Malayalam. "The course will focus on the history of Kerala and on issues that are relevant to the state. "We will try to bring back the lost glory of Malayalam journalism even while taking into account the changes that are coming over the industry."
"Our course has the added advantage of being a recognised course from a central institute which no other institute can claim. The introduction of the course is expected to give a boost to Malayalam journalism and is aimed at providing skilled manpower to the burgeoning regional language media in the state,” Director General of IIMC, K G Suresh.
Joy says that the course is skill-oriented and would prepare a student for journalistic assignments in ten months. The course intake is fixed at 15 students. The last date to apply is May 14. More information regarding the course can be found in http://www.iimc.gov.in/
