Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 3: The Media Education Research Centre (MERC) at the University of Kashmir hosted a seminar titled “Misinformation in the Digital Age: Perspectives and Challenges” to commemorate World Press Freedom Day.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nilofer Khan chaired the inaugural session as the chief guest, while Prof. Irshad A Nawchoo, the Dean of the School of Social Sciences, was the guest of honour.
In her presidential address, Prof. Nilofer highlighted the added responsibility placed on media persons to maintain ethics and authenticity in the fast-paced world of technology.
She stressed that any misinformation, even if circulated inadvertently, can cause significant damage and negatively impact the credibility of the media person and the institution.
The VC encouraged young media students to raise awareness on social and environmental issues, including mental health, drug abuse, and climate change, among others, at the grassroots level.
She released the latest issue of ‘MERC Times’ and assured full support for the department’s further development and progression.
The event welcomed distinguished guests, including senior journalists Riyaz Masroor, Naseer A Ganai, and Talha Jehangir, who shared their views on the topic. Masroor discussed the nature of misinformation, Ganai spoke about misinformation during and after reporting, and Jehangir explained the importance of understanding and filtering misinformation.
The seminar also featured a photo-exhibition showcasing works from MERC students and concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Syeda Afshana. Dr Rashid Maqbool, a faculty member of MERC, conducted the proceedings of the session, which was attended by MERC faculty members, research scholars, and students, along with senior academics and officers, including Dr Ashfaq Zarri, Joint Registrar.
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