Date: March 16, 2022
The Department of Media Studies (PG) conducted a virtual International Media Conference on the "Role of Media in Sustainable Development" on March 16th, 2022. The inaugural function was held at the SKE auditorium in the college and journalism students along with faculties and other participants from various courses were also present. The attendees witnessed an enlightening inaugural address delivered by the Chief Guest for the day Dr. Niranjana, Vice-Chancellor of Bengaluru North University.
Rev. Fr. Dr. Augustine George, Principal, Kristu Jayanti College (Autonomous), emphasized the United Nations' sustainable development projects and their relevance in the future in his presidential address. Prof Abraham, Coordinator, Department of Media Studies (UG) briefed the events lined up for the day. He provided a detailed profile of the keynote speakers and paper presenters of the conference.
Dr. Niranjana’s remarkable speech stated that the media have a responsibility to report on developmental topics in a proactive manner. He highlighted though social media is reliable, one should exercise caution when utilizing the platform, especially those who are the journalists – the future content makers. His words left a very strong impact on the students since he discussed the shift in the industry. He concluded his words motivating the future journalists to be the best version of themselves to build a developmental society. The Vice-Chancellor was honored in the inaugural ceremony and Dr. Juby Thomas, Coordinator, Department of Media Studies (PG) delivered the Vote of Thanks.
The inauguration was followed by the first keynote session at 11.30 AM. The speaker for the session was Dr. Abhijit Ghosh, Dean, Faculty of Business and Accountancy, Lincoln University College, Malaysia. He talked about the role of media in sustainable development by revisiting the importance of technology. The interactive section helped the paper presenters and participants to understand the dimensions in which technology has taken over the media industry. He also talked about the need for engaging technology for the self-sustainability and development of a nation.
The afternoon session was initiated by the second keynote session on Investigative Journalism: A Critical Tool in Sustainable Development. The keynote speaker was Mr. Josy Joseph, a prominent investigative journalist and the founder and CEO of The Confluence Media, Delhi. The session focused on the importance of new journalistic skills in journalism. Investigative journalism is a powerful weapon to fight corruption and injustice and therefore helpful in initiating growth and development. “Citizen Journalism and big data analysis have contributed a lot of new opportunity to the investigative journalist to ensure the development and sustainability of a democratic system”, Josy added.
The keynote sessions were followed by the paper presentation which was held in 5 parallel panel sessions. There were 47 research papers by academicians, professionals, research scholars, industry experts, and students. The papers cover a wide range of themes in mass communication and provide multiple ways in which how a sustainable economy can be maintained in the media stream. The recommendations of the paper were an insight to future researchers to focus on the UN initiatives in sustainable development goals and how media can be the part and parcel of the initiative. The one-day conference was insightful providing a platform for the exchange of knowledge and to find new methodologies for a sustainable future in media and social development.