In view of the ever changing face of the media and the innumerable opportunities available to students today, the School of Media Studies, of St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa, organized a one-day regional seminar on ‘The Changing Face of Media: Growth and Opportunities’ on 19th February, 2011 in the college hall.

Mr. Sagar Salgaonkar, Executive Director of Geno Foundation, was the Chief Guest of the seminar. The Principal of the College, Fr. Walter de Sa, in his opening address, laid emphasis on the need to maintain a balance between the positive and negative aspects of the media since, like anything else, it has two sides to it. He expressed that media communication is indeed a great gift of god to humanity, but one must utilize these powerful audio-visual means effectively for the welfare of humanity and growth of the country. He concluded saying that misusing the powers of the media for personal gains or malicious intent can disrupt the stability of society and can also destroy communal harmony causing great harm to individuals and groups alike. In the words of the Chief Guest, Mr. Sagar Salgaonkar, today, media is playing an important role in how it shapes the future of India. India is the youngest market in the world and hence it is up to the youth to interpret data and channel it appropriately.”Thereafter the chief guest released the souvenir of the seminar.

The seminar comprised of three sessions. The first session witnessed a number of eminent resource persons expressing their views on a diverse range of topics. Mr. Raju Naik, Editor of Lokmat, spoke of the changes in media. Dr. Fr. Richard Rego, of St. Aloysius College, Mangalore, talked about Community Radio as an alternative  media, that is far more accessible and affordable. Mr. Oystein Krogsrud, a Norwegian journalist, analyzed how new media is empowering the public sphere. According to him, the power of information is shifting from the ruling class to the common man, who is getting a broadcasting platform of his own, referring to Facebook, Youtube and other social networking means that are now at the disposal of ordinary citizens. Israeli journalist, Ms. Aimee Ginsberg, spoke about the ethical responsibility of a journalist and said that it was pointless to be in this job, if one is serious about his profession. 

The theme for the second session was ‘Media Scenario in Goa – Post Liberation to Date’, where a number of eminent speakers, including Mr. Federik Noronha, shared their opinions with the students. In third session , journalists and resource persons like,  Mr. Alex Braganza, CEO, Broadway Advertising, Mr. Prasad Pankar, Fashion Photographer and Mr. Rishad Dcruz, young filmmaker from Cavendish College of Media Education, London, enlightened the students on the variety and versatility of career options available today in the fields of photography, journalism, PR, radio and advertising.

The seminar was a result of the joint efforts of the Department of Journalism and the Department of Mass Communication and Videography.The seminar received an overwhelming response from students and teachers alike. The vote of thanks was proposed by lecturer Mr. Nitin Volvoikar.