Shillong: The Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Government of Meghalaya, in collaboration with the Centre for Policy, on Wednesday hosted the 2nd Meghalaya Media Meet 2025 at Courtyard by Marriott, Shillong.
The event was held under the theme “From Print to Pixel: Navigating Trust, Technology, Consumption & Accountability,” and provided a platform for media professionals, academics, students, and experts to deliberate on the transforming landscape of journalism in an era increasingly shaped by technological disruptions and the proliferation of misinformation.
Delivering the inaugural address, Batlang Sohliya, Director of Information and Public Relations, set the tone for the day-long discussions, emphasizing the need for responsible journalism, credibility, and ethical practices amid rapid digital shifts.
The morning sessions commenced with active participation from students representing the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, NEHU; English and Foreign Languages University; and the Department of Mass Media, St. Anthony’s College.
The first session, titled “The Basics of Creative Writing,” was led by Bianca Tara Faith Nongkynrih, a linguist, writer, and PhD candidate, who underscored the transformative power of storytelling in fostering cross-cultural understanding and preserving identities.
This was followed by a session on “Spot the AI: A Fact-Checker’s Guide to Deepfakes & AI-Generated Images,” conducted by Divya Chandra, Senior Producer and Fact-Checker at Boom. She provided critical insights into recognizing manipulated content and addressed the mounting challenges in countering disinformation.
A panel discussion on “Multimedia Storytelling,” moderated by Ahmer Khan and featuring Antariksh Jain, Asmita Nandy, and Princess Giri Rashir, explored how video journalism has revolutionized the way audiences consume news and engage with information.
In addition, S Gill, Senior Program Officer at the Wikimedia Foundation, conducted a workshop titled “Wikimedia for Media: Building Reliable and Inclusive Knowledge,” emphasizing how collaborative platforms can strengthen public access to verified and credible information.
The morning sessions concluded with a note of appreciation for the enthusiastic participation of students from across the State.
The afternoon sessions catered to practicing journalists and began with a panel discussion on “Amplifying Equity: Pathways and Challenges for Women Journalists in India,” featuring Sangeeta B. Pisharoty, Patricia Mukhim, Jacky Martens, Tongam Rina, and Dr. Cherry Kharshiing, who discussed the barriers and opportunities for women in the field of journalism.
Another session on “The Role of the Press in a Democracy and Citizen Accountability” featured Shri Kishorechandra Wangkhem, Patricia Mukhim, Sangeeta B. Pisharoty, and Raman Jit Singh Chima (joining virtually), where participants deliberated on how media institutions serve as a watchdog and advocate for democratic values.
The discussions on “The Impact of Fake News and Disinformation,” led by Smt. Oishani Bhattacharya, Shruti Menon, Indrajeet Ghorapade, and Ahmer Khan, explored the growing threat of misinformation and strategies to preserve trustworthiness in reporting.
The day concluded with a panel session on “Telling Change, Not Just Stories – Building Media Capacities for Human-Centric Reporting,” with panelists Dr. Sampath Kumar, IAS, Zafrin Chowdhury, Dr. Ramnath Ballala, Shweta Raj Kanwar, Fulgida Dkhar, and Dr. Madhulika Jonathan, who discussed strengthening journalism’s role in advocating for social change.
The 2nd Meghalaya Media Meet 2025 successfully served as an engaging platform for exchanging ideas, sharing expertise, and reaffirming the media’s critical role in shaping public opinion, safeguarding democracy, and promoting accountability in today’s complex information ecosystem.
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