The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Vallabh Government College, Mandi, celebrated National Journalism Day with great enthusiasm.
Shimla:
The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Vallabh Government College, Mandi, celebrated National Journalism Day with great enthusiasm. On this occasion, a seminar, speech competition, poetry recital and poster presentation competitions were organised on the theme “Reporting in a Brave New World: Press, Freedom and the Impact of AI on Media.”
The programmes were presided over by Flying Officer Dr. Chaman Lal Kranti Singh, Head, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Senior print media journalist Dipender Manta graced the occasion as the chief resource person.
In his presidential address, Flying Officer Dr. Chaman Lal Kranti Singh said that journalists, human rights defenders and RTI activists have played an extremely significant role in introducing the nation and the world to beauty, awareness and truth.
He further remarked that with the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the media, several challenges and ethical questions are emerging. These include algorithm-based bias, lack of transparency, rapid spread of incomplete or misleading information, and potential threats to human employment. If AI is used with accountability, transparency and respect for human values, it can make the media faster, more efficient and research-oriented. Otherwise, without ethical safeguards, the same AI can become a serious threat to democracy, public opinion and truth.
Flying Officer Dr. Chaman also noted that in the contemporary era, media and Artificial Intelligence are becoming complementary to each other. News channels, newspapers, digital portals and social media platforms are now extensively using AI-based tools for the collection, selection and presentation of news.
In his address, Flying Officer Dr. Chaman also paid tribute to those brave journalists in India and across the world who sacrificed their lives for bringing the truth to light against the misuse of power, corruption, war crimes, communalism, mafia networks, illegal mining and human rights violations.
Referring to international journalists such as Anna Politkovskaya, Jamal Khashoggi, Daphne Caruana Galizia, Lasantha Wickrematunge, Daniel Pearl and Anas Al-Sharif, along with Indian journalists like Gauri Lankesh, Shujaat Bukhari, Jagendra Singh, Sandeep Sharma, Rajdeo Ranjan and Mukesh Chandrakar, he said that their martyrdom reminds us that journalism is not merely a profession, but a continuous struggle for truth, justice and the protection of democracy – and safeguarding this struggle is our collective responsibility.
Addressing the students, senior print media journalist and subject expert Dipender Manta said, “Embrace new technologies, but never abandon your journalistic ethics and sense of responsibility.”
He explained in detail how AI is reshaping the structure of newsrooms and urged aspiring journalists to uphold credibility, accuracy and honesty as their highest priorities in the digital age. Manta also shared valuable insights from his professional experience with the students of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Assistant Professor Aditi Sharma delivered an elaborate lecture on “The Importance of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism.”
Head of the Hindi Department, Senior Professor Dr. Rajkumar, delivered a thought-provoking address on the theme “Challenges in the Field of Journalism.”
On this occasion, the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication honoured Dipender Manta by presenting him with a Journalism Excellence Award memento.
The programme was organised under the guidance of Flying Officer Dr. Chaman Lal, Head, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, and Assistant Professor Aditi Sharma.
Results of the Competitions
Debate Competition:
First Position – Rakhi Thakur
Second Position – Roop Singh
Third Position – Samriddhi Sharma
Poster Making Competition:
First Prize – Sonia
Second Prize – Bhumika
Third Prize – Priya
During the poetry recital, the performances of students Shivang and Bunty added a rich literary and artistic flavour to the event.
Meritorious students who excelled in the various competitions held on National Journalism Day were felicitated with medals and trophies. The event proved to be a successful and inspiring blend of academic learning and active student participation. It further strengthened the department’s resolve to nurture responsible, ethical and technology-savvy media professionals.
Meaningful discussions and the enthusiastic contribution of students made the National Journalism Day celebrations at Vallabh Government College, Mandi, an important platform for dialogue on the future of journalism in the age of AI. Students, teachers and guests participated wholeheartedly and reflected seriously on the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the media.
The jury for the debate and poster-making competitions comprised Dr. Manoj Thakur, Dr. Anuj Kumar and Ms. Ruma Devi, who appreciated the creativity of the students and their deep engagement with contemporary issues.
The Principal of the college, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, conveyed his best wishes to the department for the successful organisation of National Journalism Day and described such activities as extremely beneficial for the holistic development of students.
Senior Professor Dr. Rajkumar Jamwal, Head of Department, Journalism and Mass Communication, Flying Officer Dr. Chaman, Assistant Professor Aditi Sharma, Dr. Dayak, Dr. Vinod, Dr. Manoj Thakur, Librarian-in-Charge Ruma Devi, along with hundreds of students of the college, enthusiastically participated in the National Journalism Day celebrations.
