"Journal of Media Studies" - a hall mark

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n a fine function the “Journal of Media Studies” of Center of Media Studies, Institute of Professional Studies, University of Allahabad was released. The gathering progressed by greeting address by Dhananjai Chopra, Course Coordinator of Center of Media Studies, Institute of Professional Studies, University of Allahabad. He acknowledged the guest plus said he is indebted that the Chairman of Press Council of India accepted the request and is present to release the journal. Then he invited Prof. G.K Rai Director Institute of Professional Studies, University of Allahabad to instigate the function further.

Prof. Rai welcomed Justice G.N Ray Chairman, Press Council of India and his wife for their presence. He then said he is puzzled whether to speak in English or Hindi. He then enlightened how Institute of Professional Studies was established. When initially university was not central it was rigid to run an institute. Technically we are in 21^st century, but our educational institutions are not there. Twenty first century education should be bold. In these fast changing times, we do not even know what skills may be needed in the years ahead. The media industry of our country is moving faster than our economy, at about 19 percent per year. The world has changed. Globally the media education has changed. The product and process for employment seem to have changed. The focus is on employability to cater the growing industry. Over the past two decades, the social and technological environment has changed significantly. I may also emphasize that while higher education makes a fundamental contribution to training a work force, it should strive to be far more than that.  I may also emphasize that while higher education makes a fundamental contribution to training a work force, it should strive to be far more than that. At the Institute of Professional Studies we strive to make our students future ready. Following to that Dhananjai chopra express thanks to Prof. Rai for his remarks and requested the guests to release the journal.

Subsequently, the “Journal of Media Studies” was released. After that Dhananjai Chopra requested Justice G.N Ray to come up to the podium and converse. Justice Ray started by saying that it feels a committed privilege to release the journal. He than thanked the institute for selection War and Media topic for the journal. For covering war you should have extraordinary skills. When you are under an umbrella with the army they don’t want that the whole thing should be enlightened by you. Numerous questions have been asked on media covering war. Concern of country should be kept in mind. There are different laws which should be identified. Many times there are some journalists who are incapable to prove that they are and that occasion law helps. In the middle par of his speech Justice Ray articulated that your sensitiveness should be there. For war reporting skills are required. I am happy that Allahabad University is publishing a media journal. There is a need for eternal strive. I am confident that students of the institute are getting good assistance to face dynamic world. Nothing will there static now the world is present in only one click. Don’t be only professional but also member of the civil society. I am happy that dream has come real. He ended by uttering that I am very confident that in able leadership of Prof. Rai and his team students will achieve a milestone in this field.

Afterwards, Mr. S.N Sinha, Member, Press Council of India and former photo editor Hindustan Times group who was presiding this function draw closer to the pulpit to address. He started by saying first of all I am thankful to Prof. Rai and his team for coming out with this journal. The awful mania at this time in Media is commercialization and that too in media studies also. There are many institutes who take lakhs of fees and don’t have infrastructure and faculty too. I am happy that Institute of Professional Studies is showing the precise way to the students. Two years reverse Justice Ray talked about standardization in media studies but now there is a need for standardization of media. The faith of populace in media is dieing. Now for the reason that of commercialization financial interest have enlarged. The day we will lose the credibility the fourth pillar will diminish. Recently in Japan radiation occurred as earth quake and tsunami approached. If we observe the media of Japan they not at all perform negative reporting but if this has occur in our nation negative reporting would be present the prominent example is radiation in Delhi University. We should think that only profit is not the motto of media it has a broader means. Self sufficient is commendable but only profit is erroneous. World has become visual so scope of visual media has increased. The topic of journal is very important. Dedication is the most important point in journalism. He ended by articulating that he is thankful to Prof. Rai and his team for inviting him and publishing the journal.

Later on Dhananjai Chopra invited senior editors to raise questions to the Chairman of the Press Council of India. Various significant questions were raised by the editors like the pro active role in negative photography, why not to start registration of journalist after they get the degree, recruitment of the journalist on low pay, why now trust on media is lowering, about commercialization and journalist on contracts. Answering the question of the editors there was a healthy discussion Justice Ray articulated by saying Press Council role is to guide not to ban. Like every one Press Council is also shocked on commercialization of media. Until and unrest more power is being provided to the council nothing can be done. A media council should also be build. The press council was made by an amendment of years back. Years back the era was an era when personalities like Gandhi publish papers where circulation was only 4000. But now this is a profit era. Technology has also advanced. Parliamentary committee should think that media persons are not the servants of the owners. Even former president A.P.J Abdul Kalam also said that there is a need to increase the power of the council. New legislation should come. Press Council should be converted in Media Council. There is a major problem in registration that is whom to register in our nation there are many journalist who are not credible. And press clubs should also have a bigger role in this prospect. In smaller cities low payment is a problem. It is not a social problem but an economic problem.

Function subsequently finished by Dhananjai Chopra expressing gratitude to the guests and requesting all present to take the lunch.

Prateek Pathak

Student

B.A in Media Studies

University of Allahabad