Patna: The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at St. Xavier’s College of Management and Technology (SXCMT), Patna, proudly organized a thought-provoking National Seminar on the theme “Social Integration and Media: Role, Impact, and Challenges” on Saturday.
The seminar aimed to delve into the intricate relationship between social integration and media in today’s digital age. Addressing a diverse audience of scholars, experts, and students, Fr (Dr) Martin Poras SJ, Principal of SXCMT, emphasized the symbiotic nature of social integration and media, highlighting the staggering statistics of global social media usage, which currently stands at 3.8 billion users worldwide. Fr. Poras emphasized the need for a collective approach to navigate the complexities of this relationship effectively.
Fr. Sushil Bilung SJ, Vice-Principal of SXCMT, emphasized the importance of journalistic integrity and objectivity, stressing that journalists must remain free from biases and committed to the principles of truth and objectivity.
The seminar featured an array of insightful presentations, including a keynote address by Dr. Sujeet Kumar from the Central University of South Bihar, who shed light on the role of social media in spreading misinformation and fake news.
During the technical sessions, scholars and experts presented 18 papers covering diverse topics. Professor Sayantan Ghosh from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, discussed the applications of new media in contemporary political communication in India, while Dr. Manisha Prakash from Aryabhatta Knowledge University explored the role of media in combatting misinformation during disasters.
Professor Abhishek Anand from SXCMT highlighted the importance of freedom of speech and the security of journalists, while Professor Priya Manish Kumar discussed the role of advertising in promoting social integration, including addressing issues like dowry, education for girls, and gender bias.
In the valedictory session, Piyush Tripathi, Communications Manager at the World Resource Institute-India, addressed the audience, discussing the challenges faced by media professionals in promoting socially integrating stories. He also talked about role of media in acting as a catalyst in social integration on climate change issues, which require community awareness and collaborations.
The seminar concluded with the conveners’ report from the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, SXCMT, reflecting on the fruitful discussions and insights shared throughout the event.
