Photo: Collected
The 9th CJEN (Communication and Journalism Educators' Network) Bangladesh Networking Conference ended on Wednesday at North South University bringing together the country’s leading academics, journalists, and media professionals to discuss innovative and transformative approaches to journalism education in the evolving media landscape.
The two-day long conference titled “Breaking Boundaries: Generation-Z, Digital Transformation, and New Journalism Education Approaches,” was organised by the Media, Communication, and Journalism (MCJ) Program of North South University (NSU) in collaboration with DW Akademie, said a press release signed by Zarin Tasnim, Public Relations Office's Assistant Director of NSU.
Dr Towfique E Elahi, Associate Professor of MCJ at NSU and conference convener concluded the event by reflecting on its impact.
“Whether it’s new media or traditional media, there is much we can contribute to these fields. Through engaging discussions, this conference has explored how journalism education can evolve and prepare students for a technology-driven future,” said Dr Towfique E Elahi.
The day on Wednesday commenced with a session on ethical considerations in journalism education, moderated by Dr. SM Rizwan-ul-Alam, Associate Professor of MCJ, NSU. Speakers expressed concerns about declining journalistic ethics in the digital age, pointing to a lack of objectivity, accuracy, and accountability. They emphasised the need for immediate reforms to tackle these challenges and enhance the quality of reporting.
In the next session, moderated by Dr. Shariful Islam Imshiat, Assistant Professor of MCJ, NSU, discussions focused on the unique media consumption patterns of Generation Z. Panelists highlighted Gen-Z’s preference for authentic, digital-first content and their increasing participation in content creation, emphasising the need for journalism education to adapt to these trends.
The third session, moderated by Nusrat Islam, Lecturer of MCJ, NSU, addressed gender-based challenges in the media industry. Panelists discussed issues such as pay inequality, workplace discrimination, and the importance of gender-sensitive reporting practices.
The final session of the day, moderated by Jude W.R. Genilo, Professor at ULAB and International Consultant for DW Akademie, explored the new approaches to journalism education. Discussions centred on integrating modern technology and new publishing formats and preparing students to navigate the challenges of a digital-first media landscape.
The conference opened on November 26 with Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser to the Interim Government, as the chief guest with notable moderators on the first day included Dr. Harisur Rahman, Associate Professor & Coordinator of MCJ, NSU; Dr. Soumik Pal, Assistant Professor, MCJ, NSU.
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