Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 31: Noted management and media professional Prof Ashok Ogra who is currently with Apeejay Education, today interacted with the students of Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) Jammu and said that new media platforms have democratised access to information thus ushering in ‘information democracy’.
He said that the new social media landscape is a collaborative process, as opposed to 20th century information order that was essentially non-participatory and asymmetrical.
“Technology is shifting the power away from the editors, the publishers, the establishment, and the media elite – making citizens not only better informed but also leading to active citizenry,” said Ogra
However, he cautioned that the unfiltered flow of information is leading to narratives that erode faith and credibility in the fourth estate.
Prof Ashok Ogra said that we are witnessing ‘information tsunami’, and lest we get drowned in it- we have to equip the students not only ‘what to know’ but also equally important ‘what not to know’. Information is a double edged weapon, it can enlighten and illuminate and on the other side lead to ‘information anxiety’ and or stifle original thinking unless verified and questioned, he added.
Covering a broad range of areas in his hour long extempore speech, he advised the aspiring media professionals to develop the art of questioning.
Ashok Ogra who is credited with launching Discovery Channel and Animal Planet in South Asia in 1995, is currently Director of Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi and has been a Jury member of several film festivals including the prestigious National Film Awards.
Dr Dilip Kumar, Regional Director of IIMC Jammu, and Dr Ravia Gupta, Assistant Professor, presented the chief guest a memento and a book written by Hindi literature legendary writer, Munshi Premchand.
Other prominent among those who were present, included Prof Anil Saumitra, Dr Vinit Utpal, Vishv, Rajeev Kumar and Gulshan Kumar, Academic Associates. The event was moderated by Saloni Sharma and Harshit Yadav. Anjali Tyagi presented the vote of thanks.
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