February 28, 2024: The Department of Mass Communication, Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), successfully organized a One-Day National Seminar on “Culture, Community and Communication in the Digital Era (CCCDE-2025)” on March 4, 2025. The seminar brought together distinguished academicians, media professionals, and researchers to deliberate on the evolving intersections of digital media, culture and artificial intelligence (AI). The event, held at the Mini Auditorium of RGU, saw active participation both offline and online.
The inaugural session commenced at 10:00 AM with a lighting of the lamp ceremony, attended by eminent dignitaries. Prof. Uttam Kr. Pegu, Dean Faculty of Communication Studies welcomed all the dignitaries coming from various universities of India. In his inaugural address, Prof. Jayadeba Sahoo, Honourable Vice Chancellor (Acting), emphasized the significance of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) and the responsible use of new media and AI in academic and media discourse. He accentuated the importance of integrating traditional knowledge frameworks with digital innovations to foster research, cultural preservation, and ethical communication practices.
The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Govind Ji Pandey, Head, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. His speech explored various dimensions of communication in the digital era, focusing on the democratization of media, the enduring relevance of face-to-face communication in an new media driven world and the paradox of social isolation despite hyper-connectivity. He also highlighted concerns related to digital divides, cultural homogenization, and ethical challenges posed by AI in media discourse.
A major highlight of the seminar was the panel discussion on ‘Media in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,’ held from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Moderated by Dr. Sunil Koijam, Assistant Professor, Department of Mass Communication, the discussion featured esteemed panelists from various institutions. The panelists examined AI’s impact on journalism, media ethics, misinformation and human communication. They also proposed solutions to AI-related challenges, including enhancing media literacy, developing ethical AI policies and ensuring responsible AI applications in communication. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A session, allowing participants to interact with experts.
The technical sessions, beginning at 1:15 PM, provided a platform for research paper presentations and scholarly discussions. Scholars and media professionals analyzed the interplay of culture, community, and communication in the digital era, focusing on inclusive, accountable, and culturally sensitive digital communication strategies. The seminar witnessed participation from leading institutions, including Mizoram University, Gauhati University, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Tezpur University, Saint Xavier’s University (Kolkata), Central University of Karnataka, Sikkim University, and Amity University (Haryana). Through CCCDE-2025, Rajiv Gandhi University facilitated critical academic discussions on digital communication, artificial intelligence, and media ethics. The seminar served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration, and deeper engagement with contemporary media challenges. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Kh. Kabi, Head, Department of Mass Communication, followed by the distribution of certificates to participants.
