Describe Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), and explain how IMC is different than the traditional promotion mix. Describe how brands are now using social media and influencer marketing to communicate with their customers, in addition to TV advertising, print ads, etc. What is one example of a recent campaign where all channels were used together to create a consistent message?

Compare the Dominant Paradigm of development with the Participatory Paradigm in relation to a recent Indian government program. Evaluate the methods in which the government employed development support communication (DSC) strategies. Determine if the communication was conducted in a top-down fashion or if it actively involved members of the community at the grass roots level.

"Media pluralism is essential for a democratic society." Discuss the present trends in Cross-Media Ownership in India as they relate to this statement. Define cross-media ownership utilizing examples and describe how the consolidation of print, broadcast and digital media under one corporate umbrella negatively affect the variety of news coverage and editorial freedom.

Choose a recent viral trend or example of "Cancel Culture". Analyze it using the "Spiral of Silence" theory with respect to public opinion and the fear of becoming isolated. Discuss whether social media platforms enhance or diminish the fear of isolation described in the Spiral of Silence theory and whether they provide a platform for marginalized voices to express themselves.

Examine the applicability of Westley and Maclean's Model of Communication in the context of today's modern social media algorithms. Describe how the "gatekeeper" function within their model has transitioned from being performed by human editors to being performed by artificial intelligence (AI) driven feed systems. Is the model still viable for explaining the manner in which today's audiences receive information, or is an entirely different model necessary?

Develop an investigative story idea regarding "Urban Waste Management" in your locality. Write the story based on the disparity between what municipal government policy promises and what actually occurs on the ground, and highlight the plight of waste management workers to give the story a human element.

Write a sports column about the commercialization of non-cricket, indigenous Indian sports leagues such as Kabaddi and Kho-Kho. Is the glamour of television leagues helping to protect traditional sports, or is it diminishing their unique cultural characteristics?

On the basis of your reading of the unit 'Research for Journalistic Writing', use various data-gathering tools (crime bureau statistics, expert reports) to write an explainer on the rise of 'Cyber Financial Fraud' in India. Describe the fraudsters' tactics and the demographics that are most targeted by them. Show how you utilized background research to add substance to an average crime report.

Write a health feature that explores the growing incidence of "Lifestyle Diseases" among working professionals in urban areas post-pandemic. Interview a medical professional and explain the reasons behind this trend and discuss preventative methods for the common reader. Ensure you translate technical medical terms into simple language for the lay reader.

 How are the introduction of foreign universities and the proliferation of online degree programs affecting the movement of Indian students overseas versus their decision to stay in India? Write an interpretative news report examining this trend and interview one student and one academic expert to capture a range of opinions on the topic.

Examine the idea of "Multimedia Storytelling." In what ways combining text, audio, video, and interactive graphics create a better comprehension of a complex news story for the end-user? Using an example, compare multimedia storytelling to the linear narrative of traditional print media.

Create a script for a 90 second TV News Package on the topic: 'Effect of increasing food costs on local street food vendors. Clearly indicate the Visuals (Video Column) and the Audio (Voiceover Column) in a two-page layout. Include a minimum of one Piece to Camera (PTC) in your script.

The smartphone has created opportunities for every citizen to become a possible journalist. Define Mobile Journalism (MoJo), and describe how MoJo has changed the way people gather news. Describe the ethical issues surrounding the use of User-Generated Content (UGC) as utilized by mainstream TV stations without proper vetting.

Behind every smooth news broadcast lies chaos in a control room and a detailed rundown. Explain the concept of a Rundown in television news. Why is it crucial for the producer and the technical team? Describe the primary roles of the main individuals in the Production Control Room (PCR) during a live news bulletin.

Radio is referred to as a blind medium, relying on writing for the ear. Identify and explain the key differences in writing news for a newspaper versus a news bulletin for the radio. Prepare a brief (3 minute) radio news bulletin to cover three of the most important headlines of the last seven days.

Examine critically the concept of Media Imperialism as it relates to the algorithms of Social Media Platforms (Facebook, Instagram and X). Are social media platforms building a global village of shared ideas and values, or are they imposing Western values and worldviews on Indians? Consider this in terms of the flow of information (Center to Periphery vs. Multi-directional flow).

Media can serve two purposes in the area of development: as a watchdog and as a partner. Discuss how media can be used to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). How can media in India progress from event reporting (reporting a disaster) to process reporting (reporting on the long-term changes and processes), so that it can become a more effective partner ins achieving the SDGs?

Discuss why Community Radio is important to providing Alternative Media in rural India. Provide a case study of a Community Radio Station (for example, Sangham Radio, Radio Bundelkhand, or one near you), and how this radio station empowers local communities to produce their own media.

Use the concepts of Stereotype and Archetype to analyze and critique the representation of Senior Citizens ('Elderly') or Persons with Disabilities in Indian television commercials or movies. Is the representation empowering and/or does it reflect an agency, or does it emphasize dependency and pity?

Pick a controversial news the past six months (a political debate, social protest, or policy decision) and compare it was covered by a mainstream commercial news outlet and a public service broadcaster (DD News / All India Radio). Explain how the economic imperatives (profit/TRP) were reflected in the way they framed their stories.