Kathmandu Conference on Communication and Media kicks off

KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Conference on Communication and Media began today to foster intellectual debate on the possibilities and challenges in mass media with the expanding use and development of technology and social media.

The two-day conference is jointly organised by Tribhuvan University's Central Department of Journalism and Mass Communication and the Centre for Media Research Nepal.

Participants will deliberate on over a dozen working and research papers covering topics such as the burgeoning flow of misinformation and disinformation, the use of social sites, media bias, and media literacy.

In his presentation on the conference's key topic during the inaugural session, Prof P Kharel remarked that despite journalists and the media being well-equipped with advanced technologies, the dissemination of news based on fair and factual reporting of incidents remains challenging.

"The concept of verification and re-verification of the truthfulness of any information received dates back to the Buddha's time, yet today, one can find a significant amount of non-verified news in the media," he stated.

Prof Kharel also highlighted the lack of care and sensitivity that the media must adopt when reporting on natural disasters or accidents. He emphasised the need for 'legacy media' to update themselves with digital technology.

Dr Kundan Aryal, Head of TU CDJMC, noted that today's readers and audiences are much more active compared to the past, thus necessitating well-edited and verified news content. According to him, the conference aims to promote closer linkages between readers, audiences, and academic activities.

Media educators, researchers, and experts from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are participating in the conference.

By RSS