Jindal Global University opens school of journalism

The O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) has inaugurated India's first global media school that will foster inter-disciplinary learning to train and groom the next generation of media leaders, at the India International Centre here.

"The vision of the school is to provide training as well as the knowledge and education through a critical pedagogy which includes inter-disciplinarity at the core of it," Raj Kumar, Founding Vice-Chancellor at JGU, said on the occasion.

The Jindal School of Journalism & Communication (JSJC), which will be operational from 2017, will offer a three-year full-time B.A. (Hons.) Media and Communication programme, designed to give students a rigorous understanding of journalism across print, broadcast, radio and new media platforms.

"Rampant changes in technology and the business models of journalism effect what we read, see and hear. Journalism today faces momentous challenges, challenges which only well-qualified and well-educated journalists can take up," said Tom Goldstein, Professor and Dean at University of California-Berkeley while delivering the inaugural address.

A discussion on 'ethics and professional obligations of journalists in a democracy' was also held at the event, a statement said.

Distinguished journalists and academics from both India and abroad participated in the event on Thursday and stressed the need for integrity on behalf of media persons.

Noted journalist Rajdeep Sardesai said: "We live in the times of high-octane nationalism, where the narrative is now being spun about whether you are wearing your patriotism on your sleeve or not. With social media as echo chambers for hate and outrage, journalists are being now branded, based on their ideological preferences."

"My ethical belief system tells me that we as journalists must not put India first but truth first," he added.

--IANS

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