The growing influence of algorithms on news consumption, the real-world dangers of misinformation, and the challenge of preserving public trust in the age of artificial intelligence emerged as key concerns at MIT World Peace University’s (MIT-WPU) 8th National Conference on Media and Journalism.

Held on October 30–31 in Pune, the two-day event was organised by the Department of Media & Communication. Centered around the timely theme of “Dialogue, Inclusivity & Peace,” the conference brought together senior editors, journalists, filmmakers, legal experts, and advertising professionals to discuss the evolving responsibilities of media in a rapidly changing information landscape.

Experiential Learning and Earning Public Trust

Welcoming the delegates at the inaugural session, the Vice Chancellor of MIT-WPU emphasised the university’s commitment to experiential learning and curriculum innovation, ensuring that students are industry-ready from day one. He highlighted that the manner in which journalists communicate deeply matters, drawing a parallel to a verse from the Bhagavad Gita regarding speech that is truthful, pleasant, and free of agitation.

“The responsibility now lies with the next generation to shape the future of media and journalism. Success isn’t about publishing first—it is about validating truth, maintaining credibility, and delivering information that serves society meaningfully.”
— Prof. Dr. Raviraja N. Seetharam, Vice Chancellor, MIT-WPU

Delivering the welcome address, Dr. Abhijit Nair, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts at MIT World Peace University, stressed the core focus of the conference: “The question before us today is no longer just how we reach people, but how we earn their trust through undivided, thoughtful attention.”

The Attention Age: Algorithms vs. Human Judgement

The inaugural session, “The Attention Age: Media, Algorithms and the Battle for Trust,” was led by Chief Guest Ramesh Menon, an author, award-winning journalist, documentary filmmaker, and educator. He warned that shrinking attention spans and algorithmic curation have stripped editors of their traditional roles.

“The editor has changed. Today, who is the editor? The editor is an algorithm. And the algorithm does not ask you, ‘Is this true? Is this important?’ It has only one thing: ‘Will it hook the reader?’”
— Ramesh Menon, Chief Guest & Veteran Journalist

Ravi Reddy, Resident Editor of The Hindu (Hyderabad), reinforced this sentiment. He stated that verification matters far more than speed in an age of AI-generated content and deepfakes. While AI can assist newsrooms, it cannot replace human judgement. “Algorithms measure engagement. Journalism measures public value,” Reddy noted.

Core Panel Discussions and Key Takeaways

Alongside the keynote addresses, the two-day national conference featured four insightful panel discussions examining the convergence of technology, media, and public life:

1. Journalism in Transition: Changing Media, Audiences, and News

Moderator: Dr. Yogesh Joshi (Metro Editor, Hindustan Times)
Panelists: Ravi Reddy (The Hindu), Vishal Khandelwal (Journalist & Content Creator), Vishakha Nikam (Presenter, BBC Marathi), and Abhijit Atre (Associate Resident Editor, Times of India, Pune).
Core Focus: The panel debated shifting news consumption habits, intense commercial pressures, and the critical need to preserve editorial independence.

2. Cinema Reimagined: AI, Virtual Production, and the Future of Indian Filmmaking

Moderator: Dr. Mithila Biniwale (Assistant Professor, MIT-WPU)
Panelists: ASGK Teja (Sound Designer & Editor), Ashoke Viswanathan (Filmmaker), and Jijoy Rajagopal (Actor & FTII Professor).
Core Focus: This session explored the integration of automated tools in cinema while emphasizing that technology cannot replace raw human creativity and storytelling skills.

3. Safeguarding Democracy: Convergence of Media, Law, Governance, and Public Policy

Moderator: Dr. Shreya Bera (Assistant Professor, MIT-WPU)
Panelists: Mahesh R. Zagade (IAS Officer), Priya Jain (Founder, Finology Legal), Siddhartha Benninger (Director, CDSA), Prof. Ujjwala Barve (Dean, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth), and Naresh Bodhke (Professor, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics).
Core Focus: Discussions centered on censorship, combating misinformation, protecting media independence, and fostering informed citizen participation.

4. Persuasion Rewired: AI, Advertising, PR, and the Future of Branding

Moderator: Shrikaant Iyer (Head of Content Production, HT Media / Fever 94.3)
Panelists: Belinda Dokras (Director, Network Advisory, Dentsu Creative) and Sarthak Thakur (Founder & CEO, SeeTusk Creative Agency).
Core Focus: A “Youth to Youth” session highlighting how brands can utilize automation tools ethically while building consumer trust through authentic communication.

Reclaiming Media Credibility and Verification

The valedictory session, themed “Voices, Visions and the Future: Reshaping Media Discourses,” featured Chief Guest Dr. Meena Sharma, Consulting Editor at News24. She was joined by filmmaker Ashoke Viswanathan and Rajnandini Pawar, First Runner-Up of Femina Miss India.

“The media today faces severe challenges regarding its credibility, and we must actively work to address them. There needs to be a conscious effort toward creating high-quality, impactful stories. Media students should take the lead by working on such stories—whether by pitching them to established outlets for publication or utilizing social media and digital platforms to reach the public directly.”
— Dr. Meena Sharma, Consulting Editor, News24

Highlighting the consumer perspective, sound designer and editor ASGK Teja shared how conflicting claims on social media often leave audiences confused, driving them back to traditional print media. “When I took just five minutes to read the newspaper, I felt so happy. I was confident that I had received proper, verified information,” Teja stated.

The 8th National Conference on Media and Journalism concluded with a resounding call to action for both students and industry professionals: prioritize verification, ethics, and public service over the fleeting temptation of virality.