CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: To tackle the spread of misinformation in the media, Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication (MCU) and the All India National Educational Federation jointly organized a two-day media literacy workshop for teachers. Held at the university’s Swami Vivekananda Auditorium, the event brought together over 60 teachers from across India, ranging from primary to higher education levels.
In his presidential address, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, K.G. Suresh, emphasized the critical role of teachers in combating the spread of misinformation and promoting critical thinking, stating, “Teachers must be at the forefront of preparing our youth for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.” He highlighted that this workshop is a significant step towards empowering them to promote media literacy.
Mahendra Kapoor, National Organizational Secretary of the National Educational Federation, shared the organization’s achievements in his address, noting that it is the largest teachers’ organization in India, with over 1.2 million members. The workshop aimed to provide teachers with a comprehensive understanding of the media landscape, enabling them to effectively guide society through the complexities of the digital age.
In her welcome address, the university’s Training Director, Jaya Surjani, emphasized the importance of preparing teachers to understand the complexities of modern media and effectively convey this knowledge to others. Over the two days, various sessions covered topics such as media literacy, tools and techniques for media management, understanding misinformation and disinformation, and ethical issues related to media consumption.
A panel of experts, including Deepak Sharma, Ramdeen Tyagi, Girish Upadhyay, Manoj Patel, Ashutosh Singh Thakur, P. Shashikala, and Darshan Kumar, shared their insights and expertise on media literacy and awareness, providing valuable perspectives and practical guidance to the teachers attending from across the country. At the end of the program, all participants were awarded certificates.