CommuniGate-2026 Concludes with Dialogue on AI, Media Ethics and Future of Journalism

Mohali, March 13: The two-day International Conference “CommuniGate-2026: New Media Ecologies”, organised by the University Institute of Media Studies (UIMS), Chandigarh University, concluded on a high note with engaging discussions on the evolving relationship between Artificial Intelligence and the future of media, particularly focusing on the emerging debate around job creation versus job displacement due to AI integration in media production.

The conference brought together scholars, media professionals, researchers and students to deliberate on the rapidly transforming landscape of communication in the digital age. The valedictory session featured an interactive fireside conversation with Mr. Rabindra Narayan, MD and President of GTC Network, widely regarded as a pioneer of Punjabi satellite television, and Prof. Dr. Kulveen Trehan, Professor at the Department of Media Studies, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU), New Delhi.

Students actively participated in the discussion and raised questions regarding the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence in media production and the need for regulatory frameworks to ensure responsible use of AI in digital media ecosystems.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Rabindra Narayan highlighted the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in media production. He noted that AI tools have made the work of producers and creators more efficient, enabling them to create engaging content in significantly less time through effective prompt engineering and creative application of technology.

Prof. Dr. Kulveen Trehan, speaking from an academic perspective, stressed the importance of maintaining ethical scrutiny and regulatory oversight in digital media. She emphasised that content delivered to audiences must pass through rigorous ethical, editorial and verification processes, particularly in an era where algorithm-driven platforms can amplify misinformation.

Encouraging young media aspirants, Mr. Narayan advised students to develop comprehensive knowledge of their chosen fields. He urged them to dream big, remain focused on their goals, and treat criticism as a learning opportunity rather than a setback.

Prof. Trehan also highlighted the growing importance of digital verification tools and fact-checking mechanisms, stating that media professionals must equip themselves with the skills necessary to verify information and uphold credibility in journalism.

Ms. Pallavi Srivastava, CEO of GTC Network, expressed her appreciation for the enthusiasm and clarity with which the students of Media Studies raised their queries and participated in the discussion. She remarked that the curiosity and critical thinking demonstrated by the students reflected the emerging confidence of the next generation of media professionals.”

The valedictory session was chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Devinder Singh Sidhu, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration), Chandigarh University, who emphasised that students of media studies must learn to use Artificial Intelligence as a tool to enhance the dissemination of information while maintaining ethical responsibility and journalistic integrity.

Over the course of the two-day conference, nearly 60 research papers were presented in multiple technical sessions, addressing issues such as misinformation, computational propaganda, algorithmic bias, digital identity, and the transformation of communication systems in the digital age. 

The research paper presented by Ishita Wasvani was adjudged the Best Paper of CommuniGate-2026.

In her concluding remarks, Dr. Jyotsana Thakur, Head of Department, UIMS, thanked the dignitaries, researchers, faculty members and students for their participation and acknowledged the technical teams and faculty from various departments of Chandigarh University for their support in making the conference a success.