Two-Day National Seminar on “Impact of Fake News on Society and Literature” Concludes Successfully at Shri Venkateshwara University

Veteran journalists and academicians urge youth to verify information before sharing to uphold social harmony and national unity

Meerut: A two-day national seminar on the theme “Impact of Fake News on Society and Literature” concluded with great success at Shri Venkateshwara University, located on the National Highway Bypass. The seminar was jointly organized by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

The valedictory ceremony took place at the university’s Dr. C.V. Raman Auditorium, where dignitaries including Dr. Sudhir Giri (Founder and Chairman, Shri Venkateshwara Group), veteran media advisor and academician Prof. (Dr.) Anil Goyal, renowned senior journalist and news anchor Navjot Randhawa, Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr. Rajeev Tyagi, and Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Krishnakant Dave graced the occasion by lighting the ceremonial lamp before the idol of Goddess Saraswati.

Addressing the gathering, chief guest Prof. (Dr.) Anil Goyal emphasized that social media has become a major hub for the spread of fake news, posing a serious threat to national unity and communal harmony. “People, often driven by personal, political, or religious motives, misuse such platforms. It is imperative for every citizen to stay vigilant and verify any information before forwarding it,” he said. Prof. Goyal also acknowledged the strict guidelines issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, which have played a significant role in curbing the spread of misinformation.

Renowned journalist and news anchor Navjot Randhawa, in her address, advised students to not only keep fake news off their phones but also to refrain from letting such negativity impact their thoughts and emotions. “For global harmony, there should be no room for fake or negative news in our minds,” she stated.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr. Rajeev Tyagi, Registrar Prof. (Dr.) Piyush Pandey, Dr. Rajesh Singh, and Dr. Dinesh Gautam also spoke on the occasion, highlighting the vital role educational institutions must play in countering misinformation alongside governmental efforts. They reiterated the responsibility of every internet user in stopping the dissemination of false narratives.

The seminar witnessed active participation from distinguished academicians and faculty members, including Prof. (Dr.) Anna Eric Brown, Prof. (Dr.) Manjari Rana, Dr. Snehalata Goswami, Dr. Rajvardhan, Dr. Rahul Kumar, Dr. Satish Gupta, Dr. Om Prakash Gosai, Dr. Chandrakant, and many others.

Also present were Media Coordinator Vishwas Rana, Public Relations Officer Dr. Shri Ram Gupta, and Director of the Meerut Campus Dr. Pratap Singh. The valedictory session was jointly anchored by Dr. Anil Jaiswal and Dr. Uma Mishra.

The seminar concluded on a note of collective awareness, with a strong message to students and attendees to act as responsible digital citizens. Organizers extended heartfelt gratitude to all guests, participants, and collaborators for their active involvement in making the event a success.

This national seminar served not only as a platform to analyze the damaging effects of fake news but also as a powerful initiative to cultivate informed, vigilant, and socially responsible individuals.