Imperative to prepare Urdu journalists to face challenges - MANUU VC National Workshop on Urdu Journalists’ Capacity Building begins

Hyderabad:

The three-day national workshop on “Capacity Building for Working Urdu Journalists” begins today at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) jointly organized by the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), Ministry of Education, Government of India, and the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism (MCJ), MANUU.

Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan, Vice-Chancellor in his presidential address said that it is imperative to prepare Urdu journalists to face the new challenges that have arisen in the profession of journalism and this workshop aimed at fulfilling this need. He urged working journalists and students to improve their linguistic skills so that the process of dissemination in the field of journalism can be successful.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Sarfaraz Saifi, CEO & Editor-in-Chief of Bharat News Network, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the opportunities and obstacles in Urdu journalism, especially in the broadcast sector.

While delivering the welcome address, Dr. Md. Shams Equbal, Director, NCPUL, stressed on the Ministry’s vision to promote Urdu media and said NCPUL is serious about training Urdu journalists. He said that MANUU is a prestigious national institution of Urdu language and NCPUL is happy to organize a training program for journalists in collaboration with this institution. The ability to face the challenges of the changing times should also be developed among Urdu journalists so that they can also develop side by side with journalists of other languages, he further added.

The session featured addresses by leading voices in Urdu journalism. Mr. M.A. Majid, senior journalist from Hyderabad, spoke on the contemporary challenges faced by Urdu journalists. Mr. Mohammed Abdul Sattar, Member of NCPUL, underlined government efforts for strengthening Urdu language media. Dr. Yameen Ansari, Resident Editor of The Inquilab, New Delhi, emphasized the editorial responsibility of Urdu newspapers. Mr. Amer Ali Khan, News Editor of The Siasat Urdu Daily, Hyderabad, discussed about the influence of Urdu journalism in public life.

Prof. Mohammad Fariyad, Dean and Head of the Department of MCJ, gave a brief overview of the workshop and its objectives. Prof. Ehtesham Ahmad Khan, Professor, Dept. of MCJ proposed vote of thanks.

The University Magazine “Al-Kalam” was also released on the occasion. Dr. Mohd. Mustafa Ali Sarwari, PRO and Associate Professor MCJ who is also the editor of the magazine highlighted its academic and journalistic significance.