It was a long-cherished dream of students of the Jammu region and that of the civil society, to have a Postgraduate course in Journalism and Mass Communication in the University of Jammu, said Prof Manoj Kumar Dhar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu. Prof Dhar said that in the changing scenario, when the media is playing a pivotal role in various facets of working and has become robust in various modes, there was a dire need to impart education to the youth of this region. Thus it was planned to start M. A in  Journalism and Mass Communication Studies.  He conveyed sincere gratitude to Shri Manoj  Sinha, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, J&K and Hon’ble Chancellor under whose leadership, University of Jammu got its Department of Journalism and Media Studies. Prof Dhar termed the occasion historic as the Department had invited Dr Ajit Kumar Jha as a keynote speaker, who has an illustrious career spread over several decades . Prof Dhar complimented Prof Shyam Narayan Lal and Dr Vinay Thusoo for their efforts and resilience in helping to start the much awaited Department. He expressed hope that with this beginning the Department will flourish and achieve the goals in future for which it is being established.  

Earlier, Dr Ajit Kumar Jha, Editor, CNN News 18, former Editor, India Today and Outlook delivered a mesmerising lecture. Dr Jha is an M litt. from Oxford University, Ph D from University of California, Los Angeles, MA from JNU in Political Science. He has been Founding Editor of Qatar and Oman Tribune in Doha and Muscat and Resident Editor of the Times of India, Indian Express and the Hindustan Times.    In his keynote address spoke on “The Rise, Decline, Rise of Indian Media. The story of the three milestones: Print, Broadcast (TV) and Social Media.” In his address, Dr Jha spoke in detail about the  story of the Indian media industry, which is one of the largest, oldest and like Indian democracy, one of the most vibrant, fiercely independent media industries in the world. Its growth rate is the fastest in the world and in the last 25 years it has grown exponentially, in an unprecedented manner globally, said Dr Jha. He further said that the purpose of this lecture is an attempt to understand the remarkable story of growth of the Indian media, its rise as well as its decline. He  exhorted that those were also the times when  the print industry, once dominated the medium but today has begun to slow down growing only a few percentage points but it is also remarkable to observe that Broadcast Industry (TV) began expansion only after 1991 but has replaced the print industry in simple dominance (volume, revenue, viewership etc), even though not in quality. However, the Social-media (digital media or online media), which began as a baby, has grown exponentially in the last decade.

Earlier, Prof Shyam Narayan Lal, Incharge, Head, Department of Journalism and Media Studies in his eloquent welcome address   thanked Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor for his vision, support and determination for starting the Department in the University. Due to his persistence, the University is witnessing the establishment of a professional course in University, he said. Prof Lal also introduced the keynote speaker to the august gathering.

Dr Vinay Thusoo, Coordinator, Department of Journalism and Media Studies, University of Jammu conducted the event's proceedings and presented a formal vote of thanks.

Among others, Prof Jasbir Singh, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences and Controller of Examinations, Prof Suman Jamwal, Head, Department of History, Dr Anil Gupta, students and staff were also present on the occasion.