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Friday 17 March 2017

Conference Report: ICMCS 2017

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.
 
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. 
An engaging moment during panel discussion during ICMCS 2017
The Chief Guest of inaugural session: Shri. Sunny Sebastian, Former vice chancellor Haridev Joshi University, & currently associated with Rajasthan Patrika, as Deputy News Editor, took forward the theme with paving his views on media organisations and the need of transparency in journalism. He was also curious about the future of media education and role of journalist in the age of digital convergence.

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.
 
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".
 
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.”
 
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.


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