Tezpur University celebrates World Press Freedom Day

Guwahati: The Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Tezpur University on Friday observed World Press Freedom Day with a series of activities highlighting the importance of press freedom in a democratic society.

The theme of World Press Freedom Day 2024 is “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis”. To celebrate the day, the Department especially invited the working journalists to share their experiences through a panel discussion.

Delivering the inaugural address, Vice-Chancellor, of Tezpur University, Prof Shambhu Nath Singh, himself a former journalist shared his insights on the day.

Speaking on the significance of the day, he said that freedom without a free press is no freedom. “It may appear to be free, but it’s a curtailed freedom”, Prof Singh said. Expressing concern over the deteriorating Press Freedom Index of India, the Vice Chancellor said that Development and press freedom are intricately linked, forming the backbone of democratic societies.

He gave examples of Scandinavian countries, which are doing well in the press freedom index and human development index. Prof Singh also said that people have high expectations from the Media, but very few bother to know about their well-being and their challenges.

Addressing the occasion, Dean, of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof Farheena Danta urged the Media to provide informed news vis a vis breaking news without substance.

Prof Danta urged the Media to do research to bring out different perspectives on an issue. While delivering the welcome address, Prof Abhijit Bora, Head of the Department said that journalists encounter significant challenges in seeking and disseminating information on contemporary issues. Therefore, students of media need to know the various challenges faced by journalists.

A panel discussion on the topic of press Freedom and Regional Media was organised on the occasion, where Dr Pranjit Hazarika, Editor, Ganakantha, Mr Sanjeev Hazarika, President, Sonitpur Journalists’ Union, Mr Pranab Kumar Das, senior reporter, ETV Bharat, Mr Pulak Kumar Deka, Bureau Chief, News Live, Raj Kumar Mahanta, senior correspondent, Asomiya Pratidin and Ankita Gogoi, District Information and Public

The Relations Officer discussed various aspects of the topic.

A book titled Art and Craft of Journalism, authored by Prof Joya Chakraborty, Dr.Anjuman Borah, Dr Muktikam Hazarika, Dr Tinam Bora of the Mass Communication & Journalism department was launched during the event. The students of the department also performed a skit on the theme of the event.