Parul University Journalism Students Complete Six‑Day Delhi Media Leadership Tour

In August 2026, journalism and mass‑communication students from Parul University, Vadodara, undertook a six‑day media leadership tour in New Delhi that gave them hands‑on exposure across the Indian news ecosystem. The itinerary, documented in the university’s own report, included visits to the Press Trust of India (PTI), Hindustan Times, India TV, News18, TV9, Republic Media Network’s Noida campus, and the India Today Network, as well as a meeting with NDTV Managing Editor Padmaja Joshi.

Verification Practices at PTI

At PTI, editor Shuja ul Haq explained the agency’s three‑source rule: any story that impacts the public interest must be corroborated by three independent sources before it is released. He highlighted PTI’s reach—covering roughly 90 percent of the country’s newspaper market, producing more than 1,000 text stories and close to 400 live feeds each day—and stressed that accuracy is valued over speed.

Newspaper Production at Hindustan Times

Students followed a finished newspaper page through the pre‑press, press, and mailroom stages at Hindustan Times. They learned how a colour page is separated into cyan, magenta, yellow and black plates and observed the press printing up to 90,000 copies per hour.

Live Reporting Exercise at India Gate

On the first day, each student group was given ten minutes at India Gate to prepare and then deliver a live, 60‑second “piece to camera,” simulating a reporter’s on‑location stand‑up with no second take.

Television Newsroom Operations

Across News18, TV9 and Republic, the students tracked a story from the assignment desk through production and master‑control rooms to the final broadcast. They saw graphic designers, sound engineers and directors working in parallel with reporters. At Republic’s Noida campus—described by the network as Asia’s largest integrated newsroom—students observed anchors positioned inside three‑dimensional chroma‑studio environments.

Advice from Senior Journalists

India TV Chairman Rajat Sharma spent two hours with the group, emphasizing that journalism must remain free, fair and fearless and that credibility is earned over time. NDTV Managing Editor Padmaja Joshi advised students to begin their careers in reporting, while Rajdeep Sardesai of the India Today Network urged them to look beyond a Delhi‑centric view of news. The common counsel across these leaders was to specialise before generalising, read newspapers cover‑to‑cover, and develop strong reporting skills before moving to anchoring.

University Perspective

Dhruvil Shah, Chief Executive Officer of Parul University, stated that the exposure turns classroom theory into instinct, noting that students not only visited newsrooms but also witnessed verification, ethics and live reporting under pressure, which prepares them for the field.

Rationale for Newsroom Exposure

The release argues that media employers hire for verification discipline, on‑camera composure and news judgement—skills directly exercised during the tour. By practising a live piece, learning PTI’s verification standard and watching bulletins go to air, students acquire practical instincts that classroom study alone cannot provide, positioning them as prepared entrants rather than merely credentialed candidates.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which newsrooms were visited? PTI, Hindustan Times, India TV, News18, TV9, Republic Media Network, India Today Network, and NDTV’s Padmaja Joshi.
  • What is PTI’s three‑source rule? Any public‑interest story must be confirmed by three independent sources before release, prioritising accuracy over speed.
  • What is a piece to camera and what did students do at India Gate? It is a live on‑location stand‑up; each group prepared for ten minutes and delivered a 60‑second live piece.
  • What journalism programmes does Parul University offer? Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication, combining academic study with studios, media labs and continuous industry exposure.

Disclaimer: The press release is provided under an arrangement with PNN. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the content.