Journalist should become ‘factivist’ and not activist: Prof KG Suresh

Journalist should become ‘factivist’ and not activist: Prof KG Suresh

Three-day Orientation Programme-2020 of MCU begins; Eminent personalities of media interact with students

Bhopal, 26 October, 2020: Vice Chancellor of Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication Prof KG Suresh today said, media industry is passing through transitional period and a war with fake content is going on. We should make efforts for victory of truth. A journalist should become ‘factivist’ and not activist. Creativity and innovation has huge value in journalism.

Prof Suresh was addressing the inaugural session of the three-day Orientation Programme of the University which was held first time online, involving students of all campuses and Associate Studies Centres.

Keynote speaker of the inaugural session, founder of Shri Vaidik Mission Trust, Rajkot, Swami Dharmabandhu called upon students to continue practice of learning throughout the life. One should dream and work constantly for materialising them. Addressing students on ‘Power of Youth and Future of India’, Swami Dharmabandhu said we should follow certain rules in our life for personal betterment. We should respect the Constitution, love with our country, national culture and the National Flag.

Vice Chancellor Prof Suresh said we are in the age of excess information. Journalists should carry out factual and evidence based journalism. Head of Journalism Department Dr Rakhi Tiwari conducted the programme.

To prevent fake content is major challenge

Group editor (Politics) of Times Network Smt Navika Kumar addressed the first technical session on ‘Challenges in New Age Journalism’. She said, more vigilance is required for journalists in the age of fake content. Media persons should provide only verified news. Fake content should be stopped to save credibility of our institutions. HoD of Advertisement and Public Relations department Prof Pavitra Shrivastava conducted the session.

5C important for digital media

Addressing session on ‘Media Entrepreneurship’, Editor and Business Head of TV9 Network, Rakesh Khar said five Cs- context, consumer, content, commerce and community are the main elements of digital media, which has changed the media industry. Data in digital media is more credible. HoD of Media Management Department Prof Avinash Bajpai conducted the session.

Digital Media grew in Covid-19 period

Editor and founder of Nyoooz.com Shri Alok Verma spoke on ‘Digital Media: Future and Opportunities’. Digital media was recognised for its use and importance during Covid-19 period. Digital media has gained a new momentum and invited attraction of advertisers. Budding journalists should learn technology as well for future in digital media. HoD of New Media Technology Dr P Sasikala conducted the session.

Today’s sessions

On the second day on October 27, senior journalist Shri Alok Mehta will address the orientation programme at 10 am on ‘Patrakarita Ki Laxman Rekha’. Media Director of Reliance Industries and President Shri Umesh Upadhyay will address the second session on ‘New Media: Opportunities and Challenges’ at 1 pm. Senior Consulting Editor of DD News, Shri Ashok Shrivastava’ will deliver lecture on ‘Changing Dimensions of Television News’ at 2 pm. Founder and Director of Grey Matters Communication Dr Navneet Anand will address the session on ‘In Post Covid World, Business will Require PR Vaccine’ at 3.30 pm.

 The programme will be live on following link:

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