IIJNM discontinues journalism courses, issues notice of ‘closing down’ institution

BENGALURU: One of the prominent journalism institutes Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media has said it will no longer be offering programmes in journalism. Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media (IIJNM) has said this in an email sent to the candidates who had applied and were selected for the academic year 2024-25.

Sources at the institute said, the decision was taken aimed at avoiding financial losses. "The management of the Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media (IIJNM) regrets to inform you that we will no longer offer programmes in journalism. This decision was reached as the number of applicants so far this year is far below what is needed for a viable programme," IIJNM said in the email.

Stating that in the past 24 years, IIJNM has been a school of excellence in the journalism profession offering the best programme among colleges in India, it said, "however, given the recent environment in which we have been operating, it is not possible to attract enough students to avoid huge financial losses to continue the programme."

"Without waiting for the planned start of the course this year on July 22, 2024, we are giving you notice of closing down our beloved institution. We recognise it might pose some difficulty for you, but we have no other choice," it added. The institute has offered refund of the admission fee paid within 10 days of receipt of banking details. IIJNM offered Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism programmes in print, television, radio and multimedia journalism.