Bhubaneswar: The ninth edition of the National Media Conclave (NMC) opened on Friday, setting the stage for an engaging exploration of the theme ‘Media 5.0: Digital Communication.’ The inaugural ceremony witnessed stimulating dialogues as leading thinkers from across the media and communication spectrum examined how rapid technological shifts are redefining the future of digital information exchange.
Hosted by the Institute of Media Studies (IMS), Utkal University, in collaboration with KIIT and OCAC, the three-day conclave—often described as a media mahakumbh—is being conducted at the KIMS Auditorium on KIIT Campus.
Delivering his introductory remarks, Prof. B.K. Ravi, Vice-Chancellor of Koppal University, Karnataka, said that AI-driven systems now frequently manage and distribute content independently. “Digital communication has evolved far beyond traditional messages. Today, it is intuitive, immersive and increasingly self-directed,” he pointed out.
Keynote speaker Dr. Ashwini K. Nanda, Director of the AI & HPC Research Centre at IIT Bhubaneswar, highlighted the risks posed by misinformation amplified through technology. “Fabricated narratives can destabilise society. This makes stringent regulatory frameworks for AI indispensable,” he cautioned.
Former Pro Vice-Chancellor of Assam Central University and eminent mass communication academic Dr. K.V. Nagaraj emphasised that the media sector must continuously adapt to technological disruptions. Stressing the need to keep human values at the centre of innovation, he said, “Media can be a catalyst for transformation, a facilitator of progress, and a force that revitalises contemporary society.” He added that India is well-positioned to emerge as a leader in the global AI landscape.
In his welcome address, Prof. Upendra Padhi, Director of IMS and Chairman of NMC, remarked that the world has firmly entered the era of Media 5.0, where immersive technologies are redefining communication models. He noted that media professionals today shape not only content creation but also its distribution strategies within a swiftly changing revenue environment. “Profitability has overtaken idealism in the new digital order. The corporatisation of technology is evident, and the frequent mergers and splits among global tech giants reflect similar churn within the media ecosystem,” he said.
One of the key highlights of the inaugural day was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Prof. V.L. Dharurkar, former Vice-Chancellor of Tripura Central University and a distinguished figure in media education. A commemorative monograph, an abstract volume, and four new publications were also released to mark the occasion.
The day further featured three plenary sessions and the Prof. Sunil Kanta Behera Memorial Lecture, drawing wide participation from scholars, educators and media practitioners.
The conclave will conclude on Sunday, with Speaker Surama Padhy scheduled to attend the closing ceremony as the chief guest.
