Media Release
Bengaluru, Oct 15: CHRIST University on September 26 celebrated World News Day to draw attention towards the power of journalism and its role in defending truth in today's rapidly changing world, especially for a country like India that ranks 159th out of 180 countries in the press freedom exercised and enjoyed by the reporters.
The event, tailored for the university’s journalism students featured a compelling lineup of programmes aimed at highlighting the importance of ethical journalism, discussions around why journalism matters and the challenges faced by journalists today, especially in the context of current socio-political times where women’s increasing engagement in the field raises issues of safety and concern.
The event commenced with the keynote address by Anusha Ravi Sood, the executive editor of South First, an alumna of BA JPE 2011 batch. In her address for the topic of ‘Chronicling truth: Journalism in the era of misinformation and disinformation – A journey across platforms”, she delved deep into establishing distinctions between and combating the spread of misinformation and disinformation. Especially in an age where anyone with a camera and a YouTube channel can become a content creator blurring the distinctions, she underscored the unique responsibilities of journalist and offered valuable insights into how journalism can reclaim its role in the society. She emphasized the importance of fact-checking and credibility in a world saturated with conflicting narratives.
Max Martin, professor for life sciences and former science correspondent, India Today Group then initiated the panel discussion on ‘Why journalism matters: Defending truth in a changing world.'
The panel of the industry professionals including Maya Sharma (freelance journalist and educator), Prachi Pinglay – Plumber, (independent journalist and educator) and Holly Wise, (solutions journalist and Fulbright Nehru Scholar) discussed some of the most pressing issues in the field. From questions surrounding women’s safety to maintaining a balance of ethics and morality in journalism whilst fostering a sense of empathy were some of the core points of discussions.
The event came to a successful conclusion with students eagerly participating in the quiz competition hosted by Laishram Roman Michael Singh, assistant editor of The New Indian Express, Bengaluru, and an alumnus of the BA JPE 2007 batch. As the quizmaster, Laishram elicited participation from students and audiences alike through thought- provoking questions testing their knowledge of current affairs, international news, sports, and global trends. The quiz was a hit with students actively competing and demonstrating their journalistic acumen.
The celebration of such events around the campus of CHRIST University is a reflection of its commitment towards nurturing the future journalists with the skills, ethics and critical thinking necessary to navigate the complexities of modern media. The event was a reminder of the vital role that journalism plays in defending and bring truth to life and the ongoing need to empower those who seek to tell the truth that shape the world.