As part of the ongoing week-long virtual seminar series commemorating National Broadcasting Day 2025, the School of Media Studies at Garden City University, in collaboration with Journalism Sphere, hosted a thought-provoking session on Day 2 (July 22, 2025) via Microsoft Teams.
The highlight of the session was a special lecture by Dr. Manukonda Rabindranath, Professor at the Centre for Media Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, titled “Media Laws and Society.” Dr. Rabindranath, renowned for his scholarly expertise and contributions to Indian media jurisprudence, delved into the evolving relationship between legal frameworks and media practices in India.
His lecture covered a range of critical themes including the constitutional foundation of freedom of speech, the role of the judiciary in mediating between media rights and public interest, the complexities of content regulation in the digital era, and the urgent need for ethical journalism amidst increasing political and corporate pressures.
The session attracted over 120 virtual participants, comprising journalism students, media professionals, legal scholars, and researchers from across the country. A dynamic Q&A segment fostered engaging discussions on landmark judicial cases, censorship practices, the challenges of press freedom, and the necessity for reforms in digital media legislation.
This insightful session significantly advanced the objectives of the seminar series, enriching participants’ understanding of the legal and ethical dimensions that underpin the practice of journalism in today’s rapidly changing media environment.
National Broadcasting Day, observed annually on July 23, marks the historic inception of radio broadcasting in India in 1927, when the Indian Broadcasting Company made its first official transmission from Bombay. This day serves as a reminder of the transformative power of broadcasting in shaping public consciousness, promoting democratic values, and fostering cultural unity.
In recognition of this legacy, the School of Media Studies at Garden City University, in association with Journalism Sphere, has curated a week-long virtual seminar series. The purpose of the event is twofold: to celebrate the foundational contributions of Indian broadcasting and to critically explore its evolution in the face of technological advancements and digital disruption.
By featuring distinguished speakers like Dr. Manukonda Rabindranath, the seminar seeks to create a vibrant academic space that encourages reflection, dialogue, and innovation in the fields of media law, journalism ethics, and digital communication policy. The series aims to inspire future media practitioners and scholars to uphold integrity, legality, and social responsibility in their professional pursuits.