The Seminar on Media Now and Then was held at CR- 14 , School Of Communications,3rd floor. The guest speaker for the Seminar was Dr.Ashok Kumar Panda, multi-faceted media personality with a distinguished career spanning journalism, public relations, and academia. He holds a Ph.D. in Development Communication and a postgraduate degree in Journalism, alongside a decorated undergraduate record in Journalism and Mass Communication. Objectives: To enrich the students with the knowledge about the media now and then which should be known to us as the students of mass media. Dr. Panda involved the students in some engaging and thought provoking conversation about reality and real ways and terms of life which one should know before entering the professional field. After the students were completely immersed in the conversation, he went ahead with the presentation where he had put up quite a few inspiring quotes for us to read which had a big significance. There were quotes like “ It’s always the weaker who look for justice and equality. Strong isn’t concerned”.
He spoke about how media is evolved significantly over the years impacting how we consume information and entertainment. He talked about from traditional print media to digital platforms; the landscape of media has gone a transformative journey. Print media was the dominant form of media in past, including the newspaper, magazines and print. These days Radio and TV revolutionized how people in take the media information. Digital media encompasses of wide range of platforms as these days people can access information and entertainment instantly through their smartphones or computers. Also he discussed about how the contents these days have become more interactive and personalized when it comes to consumption. He told us about various communication jargons like miscommunication, discommunication and conflicting communication. Talking about news consumption he said earlier in the past, people relied on newspapers mostly and they didn’t have a medium exactly to present their opinions on right or wrong. But these days with the incoming of social media people freely give their opinions on right and wrong and utilize their freedom of speech well. He told us the difference between words like collaboration co-creation and contribution.
Dr. Panda had also very rightly pointed out how ethical consideration has become a concern in India. Therefore, how much data regulation and privacy is important. He showed his willingness to speak more on the topic. But due time shortage he had to cut down his discussion and also the topic has a wide range to discuss. He ended his interaction with the advice that one should stay updated as a media student. Throughout the one hour session the guest speaker beautifully kept the students engaged with his interaction communication. It definitely gave all of us a good insight about the media now and then.
Outcomes/ Takeaways:
1. Media Evolution: The media landscape has undergone a significant transformation from traditional print to digital platforms, impacting information consumption and entertainment drastically.
2. Digital Media Impact: The rise of digital media has led to more interactive and personalized content consumption, while also providing a platform for individuals to express their opinions freely through social media.
3. Ethical Considerations: The increasing influence of media necessitates a focus on ethical considerations, data regulation, and privacy to ensure responsible media practices.
4. Communication Skills: Effective communication, including understanding concepts like miscommunication, discommunication, and conflicting communication, is crucial for media professionals.
5. Continuous Learning: Staying updated with the ever-evolving media industry is essential for success in the field.