The Department of Media Science at Techno Main Salt Lake, in collaboration with the Press Club, Kolkata, successfully hosted the third edition of its annual flagship media seminar, Media Central 3.0. Aligning with the globally observed World Press Freedom Day, the event served as a crucial platform for discussing the pressing challenges and responsibilities of the media in today’s information landscape.
The seminar commenced with an auspicious inauguration graced by Prof. Manoshi Roychowdhury, Co-Chairperson of the Techno India Group, setting the stage for insightful discussions. Eminent dignitaries from the media fraternity, academia, and arts engaged in a dynamic panel discussion centered around the timely theme, “Press Freedom In The Age Of Misinformation.” The panel featured distinguished voices including Mr. Barun Chanda, actor, author & ad guru; Ms. Rita Bhimani, author & PR guru; Mr. Jimmy Tangree, head of 91.9 Friends FM; Mr. Indrajit Kundu, Bureau Chief of India Today; Ms. Pooja Mehta, Bureau Chief of Times Network and with Mr. Kishalay Mukherjee, Principal Correspondent, Republic Bangla. The session was expertly moderated by Prof. Debanjan Banerjee, Dean of the Media Science Department at Techno Main Salt Lake.
Adding a significant dimension to the academic discourse, Prof. Manoshi Roychowdhury also inaugurated a unique exhibition chronicling the rich history and evolution of both Indian and global print media. This meticulously curated collection of landmark newspapers, including historical publications from British India and the Emergency period such as Hicky’s Bengal Gazette, The Times of India, Indian Opinion, and The Statesman, alongside international giants like The Washington Post and The New York Times, will be housed at the Press Club and remain open to visitors until May 5, 2025.
Prof. Manoshi Roychowdhury emphasized the significance of Media Central 3.0, stating, “Journalism is not merely about reporting facts but about shaping a society grounded in truth, accountability, and empathy. Through initiatives like Media Central, we aim to empower students to become fearless storytellers who can uphold democratic values and foster critical public dialogue. We must equip young minds with the tools to question, to verify, and to tell stories that matter.”
Prof. Debanjan Banerjee echoed this sentiment, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the event: “We are happy to host Media Central 3.0, as it creates meaningful opportunities for our Media Science students to learn, engage, and evolve through direct interaction with industry captains of the diversified domains of media in the real-world perspective. Events like these enrich academic learning with practical insights, helping shape thoughtful, responsible media professionals of tomorrow.”
The latter part of the day transitioned into a vibrant Prize Distribution Ceremony, celebrating the talent and creativity showcased during the department’s recent fest. The ceremony recognized outstanding achievements across various categories:
Scripter: This creative writing competition celebrated the power of words. The runner-up was Ashmita Chatterjee, and the winners were Akansha Gupta (English category) and Sampriti Sen (Bengali category).
Photons: This photography competition captured moments through compelling visuals, and the winner was Nandini Singh.
Pupils of Pop: This engaging pop culture quiz tested participants’ knowledge with a fun twist. The runner-up team comprised Rajma Koley, Sounak Chakraborty, and Sourit Bhattacharya. The winning team included Soumali Dasgupta, Sughata Ghosh, and Mrinal Sengupta.
Brand Storming – Battle of Brands: This thrilling marketing face-off saw teams strategize and showcase their branding prowess. The runner-up team, Sovabloom, consisted of Madhuja Ghosal, Hitabratashree Basu, and Debrupa Bhowmick. The winning team, Filmfit, included Pritam Ghosh, Manish Ghosh, Payel Das, and Priyanshu Das. A special mention was also given to team Tee Tonic, with members Ahana Nandy, Deboshmita Basu, Priyanshi Goswami, and Suman Chowdhury, for their outstanding efforts.
The Prize Distribution Ceremony served as a fitting culmination to a day that underscored the importance of a free and responsible press while nurturing the creative spirit and intellectual curiosity of the next generation of media professionals. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, Techno Main Salt Lake continues to foster an environment where young minds are empowered to become thoughtful, ethical, and impactful storytellers in an ever-evolving media landscape.