PASIGHAT : A national dialogue on the past, present and future of Hindi journalism began on Friday with academics and media professionals from across the country participating in a two-day National e-Conference on “200 Years of Hindi Journalism: Indian Knowledge Systems, Vernacular Media, and Cultural Renaissance.”
The conference has been jointly organised by the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of University of Ladakh, Kargil Campus, and the Department of Mass Communication of Arunachal Pradesh University (APU), Pasighat.
Scholars and media practitioners from leading universities are deliberating on the evolution of vernacular journalism amid challenges posed by digital disruption, misinformation and declining media credibility.
Delivering the inaugural address, Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi, Head of Department of MA Strategic Communication, Prof. Pramod Kumar said Hindi journalism emerged from a civilisational need to provide a colonised society with a language of resistance and self-expression.
“The challenge today is not the absence of information but the erosion of credibility. Artificial intelligence and algorithmic platforms are reshaping how news is produced and consumed, but technology alone cannot substitute for the journalist’s fundamental obligation to truth,” he said, urging the vernacular press to adopt technological tools without compromising ethical values.
In his keynote address, former Centre for Mass Communication University of Rajasthan Jaipur Head Prof. Sanjeev Bhanawat traced the two-century journey of Hindi journalism from Udant Martand, the first Hindi newspaper published in 1826, to the contemporary era of social media and algorithm-driven news dissemination.
He said the vernacular press had historically served as a movement representing communities excluded from mainstream public discourse. Stressing the need to integrate Indian Knowledge Systems into journalism education, he cautioned that a culturally disconnected Hindi press would struggle to counter commercialisation and misinformation.
Chairing the session, University of Ladakh Vice Chancellor Prof. Saket Kushwaha described Hindi journalism as a mirror reflecting India’s social conflicts, aspirations and resilience over two centuries.
“We stand at a moment when artificial intelligence is not merely a tool but a disruption — rewriting the economics of newsrooms, generating content at scale, and raising questions about authorship, accountability and authenticity,” he said.
Prof. Kushwaha emphasised that Indian Knowledge Systems should be viewed as living intellectual traditions capable of providing journalism with a value framework rooted in Indian realities.
Earlier, welcoming the participants, Arunachal Pradesh University Head of Department of Mass Communication Dr. Prem Taba said the history of Hindi journalism was closely linked with the struggle of communities to find their voice against structures of power. He noted that issues such as credibility, cultural identity, digital transformation and the future of regional media remain central to contemporary journalism.
University of Ladakh Kargil Campus In-Charge Administration Dr. Mehboob Ali highlighted the significance of hosting the conference in Ladakh, a region marked by rich linguistic and cultural diversity. Faculty of Arts Dean Dr. Jaffar Ali Khan urged researchers to move beyond mainstream narratives and recognise the contribution of vernacular journalism in peripheral regions often ignored in media histories.
Arunachal Pradesh University Vice Chancellor (I/C) Dr. Milorai Modi, who could not attend due to health reasons, conveyed his best wishes to the organisers and participants through a message.
The inaugural session was followed by plenary discussions on digital transformation in Hindi journalism, regional cultural identity and ethical challenges confronting vernacular media.
Among the senior scholars participating in the conference are Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Delhi School of Mass Communication Dean Prof. Durgesh Tripathi, Central University of Rajasthan Prof. Amitabh Srivastava, Rajiv Gandhi University Head of Department of Mass Communication Dr. Nawaz Khan Thouba, and Srijan Sansar Group of International Journals Global Group Editor Dr. Shailesh Shukla.
The second day of the conference on Saturday will feature presentation of 18 research papers across two technical sessions on themes including artificial intelligence and vernacular fact-checking, endangered languages in mainstream television, environmental journalism, women’s portrayal in regional newspapers, and legal challenges arising from AI-driven journalism.
The conference is being convened by University of Ladakh faculty member Dr. Shriprakash Pal and Arunachal Pradesh University faculty member Dr. Prem Taba, with Dr. Zakir Hussain and Dr. Kombang Darang serving as co-convenors.
