Recent News
At the Statesman Print Journalism School (SPJS), we offer a Post-Graduate Diploma course in English Print Journalism.
The syllabus covers all aspects of print journalism, namely, reporting, editing, feature writing, newspaper design and page make-up, production methods, laws of the press in India, news photography, specialised writing on environmental, scientific and legal issues, multimedia and web journalism.
A STUDENT’S DAY
Typically, a student’s day will be divided between classroom instruction and field work. Every day, students will join one of The Statesman’s senior editors to critique the morning’s papers, especially The Statesman, and seek to understand the reasons and compulsions behind story selection, layout, editing and other aspects of production.
Each student will be provided a laptop to work in classroom for the duration of the course.
Class of 2008–09
My experience at SPJS has been great. I thoroughly enjoyed my days at SPJS and it helped enrich my knowledge. I learnt different aspects of journalism during the tenure of the course. SPJS and its faculty members have immense contribution in my career. What I had learnt in the school still helps me in my work.
Class of 2009–10
“Because We are Different” For a student like me, with little or no knowledge of journalism, SPJS was the platform that taught me to assess and understand NEWS. Focussing strictly on Print Journalism, the school, a collaboration between C R Irani Foundation, Kolkata, and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Germany, secured me a place at the newsdesk of one of the most esteemed dailies in India.
Class of 2009–10
During the wonderful nine months that I spent at SPJS, I have learned a great deal. Aside from the practical experience of working in a real news-room, SPJS gave me a chance to meet and interact with different kinds of people. This allowed me to broaden my outlook and gain an idea of the different perspectives in life. I am very grateful to each and every one of my teachers and would like to extend a special thanks to our dearest Sam Sir (Sam Rajappa), our mentor and guide who regaled us with intriguing stories from his reporting days, teaching us many valuable lessons along the way. I am extremely grateful to have been given a chance to be a part of this wonderful institution and extend the same good wishes to all future students of SPJS.
Class of 2010–11
SPJS is unique in many ways as you not only have an intense classroom experience, but also get to work in an actual newsroom. Since the best way to learn is on the job, this served as a great learning curve for me. Also, the teaching staff here comes with years of valuable and enriching experience. The course structure is very diverse ranging from the basics of editing and reporting, to media law and environment. But it wasn't all work as we were taken to many places in and outside Kolkata - whether to document the place through photography, or understand the place's ecosystem. These visits greatly added to what was a thoroughly enjoyable and instructive few months.
Class of 2010–11
It seems the best thing that I have done for myself so far, has been my decision to apply for the Print Journalism course at SPJS and convincing my parents that it would only do me good. However, after the course began, it was not just a lot of assignments, but a whole lot of fun as well. A conclave where we met the stalwarts of the profession, seminars and field trips to several places were added attractions. And, the most important part was the job that I was offered after completion of the course, without having to go about desperately knocking doors of employers ~ that is something for which I will always remain grateful to the institution.
Class of 2010–11
My preconceived notions about Journalism having been turned upside down, I have had to start from scratch. And, at the end of the 9 months of the Print Journalism course at the SPJS, I consider myself to be more knowledgeable, more aware, and most importantly, more responsible- as a person, and a professional. Quite an extensive discussion on all aspects of journalism, the theories in class and hands-on training during the internship, helped us to choose the right avenue in the profession.
Class of 2011–12
Getting up every morning...fighting to get hold of the newspaper first...glancing through the first page in a hurry...and then taking all the time in the world to read it...SPJS has made this a habit and taught me a lesson for life...to be aware! It has also made me realise that, in spite of the great technological turnaround the world witnesses every day, print journalism would always remain the best option for a detailed understanding of the world around. The rush to get the first look at the front page of the newspaper, or the thorough reading and analysis of news, will always remain a habit for most.
Class of 2011–12
Growing up through different abnormalities of life, it is always easy to blur the line between dream and reality. One gets desperate for a reality check. I believe I am a better citizen for having been a student at SPJS, for having the privilege to learn from eminent journalists and personalities, and above all, for knowing that Truth is all that matters.
Class of 2012–13
My nine months in SPJS was eventful to say the least. From historical excursions to business reporting, photography assignments to editing articles, my time with SPJS helped me become more aware of the world I live in, the people and their myriad lives, and the countless stories hidden in every nook and corner of this whole wide world. Last but certainly not the least, my time at SPJS also taught me the importance of being a responsible human being, no matter where we are and where we go.
Class of 2014–15
When you pick up your newspaper in the morning, you hold the world in your hands. The most important thing that SPJS has taught me is to be responsible for the news items with varied datelines we deliver to the people. Workshops, lectures and on-the-job training helped me choose the avenue I wanted to pursue after completion of the 10 months’ course and also gave me my first job. The interactive teaching process not only delivers knowledge about the craft of journalism, but improves reading habits and develops writing skills. The best feeling, however, is being able to work with senior journalists, who as part of the faculty, put in all efforts to bring out the best in us. SPJS proved to be the much needed launch pad and taught me to dream again.
Class of 2014–15
The Statesman Print Journalism School had been a voyage of discovery, in more ways than one. The country called journalism was foreign to me but with the help of teachers at the school and a bunch of like-minded fellow explorers, I now feel completely at home. And here I have taken up residency, armed with the knowledge passed down by seasoned journalists in class and the myriad interactions we had in seminars and conferences, outside it. For SPJS, I only have heartfelt gratitude.
Batch of 2019–20
I joined the Statesman Print Journalism School in the 2019–20 session because I wanted to pursue a career in journalism. I wanted to see the world around me, be a witness to the nuances of life. I wanted to be the voice for the voiceless. That is why I came to this school. It has been an amazing experience in the last eight months. Joining this course has been one of the few good things that have happened in my life. My journey with SPJS started on an impulsive note, with only an idea of being a journalist, passion for news and a notebook. The months that followed were nothing short of a storm! Journalism isn’t a subject that can be taught in the classroom alone; it has to be learnt on the job. At SPJS, the principles of journalism are taught and then young aspirants are nurtured through practical assignments until each has developed their individual approach towards practising the discipline. Under the guidance of the faculty, including veteran journalists, famed personalities in media, and abundant fieldwork, we soon became inquisitive and hungry for news. We were taught to think like journalists, to keep an eye out for news. Valuable, real-life lessons in the confines of the classroom, seminars, and conferences around the country soon gave way to spot-reporting, writing articles that would be published in The Statesman, and a prestigious internship at The Statesman newspaper—the deal just kept getting sweeter. I am truly thankful to the school for imbibing me with the valuable qualities of a journalist and strengthening my desire for the career even more.
Batch of 2019–20
When I took admission at Statesman Print Journalism School (SPJS), I really didn’t know what to expect from the course. But soon, things took an interesting turn. The first thing I realised was that although I had studied English in an English-medium school and even did my Master’s in English Literature, I hadn’t quite attained mastery over the application of the language. Thanks to these few months’ classes at SPJS, I not only understand the correct application of fine grammar but also its practical usage. The SPJS course had also given me the opportunity to have a wide range of experiences—from an enjoyable Reporting workshop at Kodaikanal to spot reporting lessons in and around Kolkata. The training process at SPJS included numerous site visits for photography as well as reporting assignments, all the way to the exciting page design classes. The environmental journalism classes were equally fun and engaging. I had a really good time learning, had a lot of fun, and have made a family out of my fellow students and faculty members.
