Delhi School of Journalism, DU Hosts Thought-Provoking Guest Lecture on “Social Media and News: Allies or Enemies?”
Delhi School of Journalism
On September 11, 2025, the Delhi School of Journalism, University of Delhi, organized a special lecture under its weekly lecture series, focusing on the timely topic “Social Media and News: Allies or Enemies?” The event featured Prof. Dr. Pooja Rana, Professor and PhD Programme Head at Amity University, Manesar, as the keynote speaker.
Key Takeaways from Prof. Dr. Pooja Rana’s Lecture
- Democratization of News: Prof. Rana emphasized that social media is democratizing news, allowing it to reach a wider audience beyond mainstream media channels. She highlighted the emergence of citizen journalism, enabled by social media platforms.
- The Double-Edged Sword of Social Media: While social media has revolutionized the way news is consumed and disseminated, it also poses significant challenges, including the spread of fake news, viralization of content, and deepfakes. These issues can have far-reaching consequences, including polarization and negative impacts on mental health.
- Regulation and Ethics: Prof. Rana stressed the importance of regulation and ethics in social media usage, particularly for journalists and media professionals. She noted that techniques like debunking, Google Lens, and fact-checking websites can help mitigate the spread of misinformation.
Presidential Address and Vote of Thanks
Dr. Sanjay Verma, OSD of the institute, welcomed Prof. Rana and highlighted the key differences between mainstream media and social media. He noted that while mainstream media has checks and gatekeepers to ensure the accuracy of broadcast content, social media platforms allow anyone to publish directly. Dr. Vikas Singh introduced the guest speaker and expressed gratitude in the vote of thanks.
Interactive Session and Conclusion
The lecture sparked a lively interactive session, with students and faculty members asking questions on various aspects of social media, including artificial intelligence, regulations, gatekeeping, and newsworthiness. Prof. Rana concluded the session with a thought-provoking statement: “When in doubt, check it out and cut it out.”
The event drew students from all five semesters and faculty members, showcasing the institute’s commitment to exploring contemporary issues in journalism and media studies. The program concluded with a group photograph, capturing the spirit of academic engagement and inquiry.
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