CommClave-24 Explores Future of Media; Experts Inspire Students for Nation Building

CU Campus - The 'Commclave-24' on "Future of Media: Challenges and Opportunities," organized by Chandigarh University on September 20, 2024, brought together prominent media industry figures to discuss the evolving landscape of journalism, entertainment, and communication technology. Founder Vice Chancellor of Chandigarh University, Prof. (Dr.) R.S. Bawa, Advisor to the Honorable Chancellor, urged students to take their journalism studies seriously and work hard.

The session, moderated with a focus on the "Future of Media," began with Prabal Pratap Singh, a media stalwart, emphasizing the importance of staying informed and warning against consuming unverified news. He noted that mass communication could lead to miscommunication, potentially causing unrest like riots. Prof. (Dr.) Manpreet Singh Manna felicitated the guests and encouraged students to focus on nation-building through journalism. The Honorable Vice Chancellor stressed the importance of value-based reporting and doing justice to society.

Kunal Gaur, Chief Commercial Officer of Viacom-18, presented the financial outlook of the media and entertainment industry, currently valued at ₹2.31 trillion, with television making up 30%, digital media 28%, and print, films, and games comprising the rest. Gaur predicted growth to ₹3.1 trillion while noting challenges such as fragmented viewership, changing monetization models, and regulatory issues around privacy.

Neeraj Jha, Director at Warner Brothers (Discovery), highlighted the growing demand for digital platforms while warning against fake news. He urged journalists to maintain integrity and noted emerging trends like sports journalism. Shishir Sinha, Associate Editor at The Hindu Business Line, offered a creative interpretation of "NEWS," emphasizing the challenges of news avoidance and customization. He stressed the need for a unique selling proposition (USP) to stand out in the competitive field.

Pallavi Ghosh, Political Editor at CNN-News18, focused on adaptability in journalism, advising students to maintain core specializations while covering diverse beats. Himanshu Shekhar, Senior Political Editor at NDTV, echoed the need for media professionals to stay updated with communication technologies to remain relevant. Anand Pradhan, Senior Journalist and Regional Director at IIMC, Dhenkanal, discussed the issue of "news avoidance syndrome" caused by political bias and negativity, leading to a decline in newspaper readership and TV viewership.

Jaspreet Kaur, News Anchor at News18 India, concluded by affirming that media will never be obsolete but will evolve alongside society, stressing the importance of multitasking in the era of AI anchors. Surinder Kumar from Sansad TV highlighted the enduring relevance of print media, describing it as a mission-driven source of authentic information.

Commclave-24 provided valuable insights into the future of media, highlighting both the opportunities brought by technology and the challenges posed by fragmented audiences, AI integration, and the need for authenticity and credibility. Adaptability, innovation, and specialization emerged as critical for the industry's success.