Two-Day Expert Lecture-cum-Workshop on “Digital Media Content Production, Distribution and Fact-Checking” Begins at CU Punjab

Two-Day Expert Lecture-cum-Workshop on “Digital Media Content Production, Distribution and Fact-Checking” Begins at CU Punjab

Bathinda 27 October ( PDL ) : A two-day expert lecture-cum-workshop on “Digital Media Content Production, Distribution and Fact-Checking” commenced at the Central University of Punjab (CU Punjab), Bathinda, with an inaugural session held on Tuesday at the University’s Hindi Bhawan. The Department of Mass Communication and Media Studies, CU Punjab, in collaboration with the Public Media Tech Foundation, New Delhi, is organising the workshop on October 27–28, 2026. The inaugural session was graced by an eminent academician and acclaimed media educator Prof. B. K. Kuthiala, former Chairman of the Haryana State Higher Education Council and former Vice-Chancellor of Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal, who attended as the Chief Guest. Ravinder Singh Robin, journalist, columnist and documentarian, participated as the distinguished speaker. The programme began with a welcome address by Dr. Rubal Kanozia, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Mass Communication and Media Studies, and Director of the Community Radio Station. He highlighted the importance of media literacy, responsible social media use and fact-checking in addressing the growing challenges of misinformation. He acknowledged Prof. Kuthiala’s extensive academic experience and Mr. Robin’s contributions to journalism and documentary filmmaking, expressing confidence that their insights would help participants develop skills in authentic and responsible digital media content production.

Addressing the participants, Chief Guest Prof. B. K. Kuthiala emphasised the importance of creating, distributing and sharing digital media content responsibly. He observed that people often forward social media messages without verifying facts, which can spread misinformation and disturb social harmony. He urged participants to focus on three key aspects: investigating the truth, presenting it accurately and identifying fake news. Referring to Punjabi folk songs and Swami Vivekananda’s address in Chicago, he highlighted the values of truth, mutual respect and acceptance of differences in society. He encouraged young people to remain active on social media while avoiding the circulation of unverified, unethical or harmful content. He also urged them to assess whether their posts contribute to social harmony or create divisions in society. Distinguished speaker Ravinder Singh Robin shared his professional journey across print, electronic and digital media, highlighting the evolution of journalism over the years. He explained the key elements of effective video content and emphasised that, in digital journalism, the opening line of a text and the first five to ten seconds of a video are crucial for capturing audience attention. He showcased some of his recent video productions and responded to participants’ questions about approaching respondents and gathering relevant information for stories. He encouraged aspiring media professionals to read extensively and develop a thorough understanding of a subject before creating content around it.

In his presidential address, Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ramakrishna Wusirika expressed gratitude to Prof. Kuthiala and Mr. Ravinder Singh Robin for their insightful contributions to digital media content creation. He emphasised the importance of media literacy and encouraged students to share authentic news on social media and verify information before forwarding any message. The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Bhaw Nath Pandey, Dean, School of Information and Communication Studies. The stage was coordinated by Dr. Mohd. Aleem Khan. Faculty members and students from various university departments attended the programme. Students from Baba Farid Group of Institutions, Bathinda, also participated. Faculty members of the Department of Mass Communication and Media Studies, including Dr. Kinshuk Pathak, Associate Professor; Dr. Chhavi Garg; Dr. Mahesh Meena; and Dr. Vishnu Achutha Menon, were present on the occasion. The workshop will continue on October 28, 2026, with hands-on training sessions on digital media content production, distribution and fact-checking.