With the roaring success of ICMCS 2011 and ICMCS 2015, Amity
school of communication has again opened its doors of welcoming media scholars
and experts for its 3rd edition of International conference on Media and
Communication Studies from 2nd March to 4th March of 2017. It is my pleasure to share with you that
there were more than 150 participants from various parts of the world,
including India, South Africa, Jordan,
France, Canada, Iran, UAE.
The conference had its relevance in discussing the theme of “Contemporary
Media theories and practices” in the age of digital convergence, big data and
new media shifts. The conference was inaugurated on 2nd March 2017. Hon’ VC,
AUR, Prof. SK Dubey welcomed the gathering with his inspiring words of wisdom.
He was critical on media content in 24X7 news trend and also pointed out the
importance of media in contemporary society.
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| The Chief Guest of inaugural session Shri. Sunny Sebastian addressing the gathering |
Prof. Sanjeev Bhanawat, Head, Center for media and
communication studies, Rajasthan University during his keynote address stressed
on the roles and responsibilities of journalist in bringing objectivity in
news.
The Guest of Honor, Dr Faizal Malik, Head, ASCO AUD, talked
on the significance of public opinion, digitisation and digitalisation in the
age of media convergence. His thoughts were enlightening and informative for
young and fresh minds.
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| An engaging moment during panel discussion during ICMCS 2017 |
Prof. Manish Verma, Director, ASCO, AUR delivered vote of
thanks and stressed on the need for International deliberation and discussion
for understanding the shifts in contemporary media theories and practices.
The book of abstracts was released during inauguration by the
dignitaries.
The first day found two engaging technical sessions on
Dynamics of Media, Content and User Participation. The sessions were chaired by Dr Faizal Malik
and Dr Monica Verma respectively.
The paper presentation and discussion on Day 1 remarked
an outcome assuring that the topic of our conference found
impactful and relevant.
The day came to an end with the soulful cultural eve, where
delegates from various places enjoyed not only the contemporary dance
performances, but our students mesmerised the audience with the folk dance
performance.
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| Paper Presentation during one technical session of ICMCS 2017 |
Day 2 of the conference started with Technical Session on
Digital Media and Audience, which was chaired by Dr Neeraj Khatri (Head,
Communication Dept, JERC University, Jaipur) followed by a panel discussion on
“Issues of ethics, objectivity and fairness in contemporary media theory and
practices".
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| Prof. S K Dubey, VC, AUR presenting memento to Chief Guest of Validatory Session of ICMCS 2017 Dr. Sameer Kapur , Senior Vice President, Ad Factors |
The panel was chaired by Col R.K. Dargan, Snr. Advisor ASCO, AUUP, along with panel
members:
Mr. Rajan Mahan - Resident Editor at NDTV Jaipur, Rajasthan,
Mr. Raman Nada, Snr. Journalist, & Former media advisor to the Governor of
Rajasthan, Mr. Mahesh Sharma, Resident Editor, Dainik Navjyoti, and Dr. O.P.
Yadav, Snr. Journalist DD.
The eminent panel discussed on the various issues relating to
the theme : Issues of ethics, objectivity and fairness in contemporary media
theory and practices.
Mr . Rajan Mahan in his talk noted very significant points
related to lack of diversity in media and its content, media catering to urban
audiences, paid media, privatisation of media, revenue model of media dependent
on its advertisers. As per Mr. Mahan : “ Media is an overdose of politics &
Ethnicities.”
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| Students of ASCO performing Rajasthani folk dance during cultural eve of ICMCS 2017 |
Mr. Mahesh Sharma, in his talk noted: “ Ethics and objectives
of media should be focused more on national development and, it should be
oriented towards readers not advertisers”. He also commented on the power of
social media that “ it makes issues more trivial and real problem of people is
not highlighted”.
Mr Raman Nanda, Specifically noted that “ the Corporate
reality and business reality is also an important part of Media which cannot be
totally ignored”.
“The concept of who alters age media and the message is now changed”, It is a fundamental
issue & Cannot be resolved by any individual alone, Constraints will always
be there but we must introspect’.
Mr. OP YADAV, said:
That despite of media is considered as a 4th pillar of democracy, news has a
mission and business is dominating media
content. Advertisers now decide where, when and how news will be displayed.
Cross media ownership is effecting new policies making
decisions. Media is now slowly becoming a party. As per his views market or
viewers actually want to see more of Entertainment based news rather than
conventional news.
He also noted that everyone is connected, Policies needs to
be re-framed”.
Later, two more technical sessions were held on Day 2 on
Development Communication in Digital Age chaired by Dr. Vikas Dogra (Head, Mass
Communication Department, HPU, Shimla) and Cinema and Visual Studies chaired by
Mr. Kamjeet Singh, Producer, Centre for Media, Punjabi University.
The Day 3 started with technical session on the Role of
Social Media session chaired by Dr. Tanushree Mukherjee (AP, ASCO AUR). The
session discussed important and relevant issues in contemporary media and
practices.
