The challenge is in adapting to technological changes, effectively using them, journalism students told

Addressing concerns about fewer students enrolling in journalism courses, Karnatak University Vice-Chancellor AM Khan said the field still offers significant opportunities but the real challenge is to adapt to technological changes and use them effectively.

He inaugurated the Media Festival 2026 organized by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Karnatak University, in collaboration with the Department of Information and Public Relations, in Dharwad on Monday.

“The emerging approach to education and media practices is increasingly multidisciplinary,” he said, encouraging students to embrace new technologies responsibly while exploring innovative ways of working.

Referring to the increasing impact of artificial intelligence, Prof. Khan said artificial intelligence has become part of many fields, including journalism. It is also taught in academic programs. But he warned that AI lacks originality because it relies heavily on existing data.

“Man has the ability to perceive and predict what will happen next, and journalism students need to develop this ability,” he said.

Prakash Noolvi, President of the Karnataka Electronic Media Journalists Association, said that the media landscape has undergone significant changes with the rise of digital platforms.

He noted that audiences now mostly rely on their mobile phones and often just look at headlines rather than engaging deeply with news content.

He said that television channels, which once had 200-300 TRP ratings, have also seen a decline in viewership. He added that with the development of citizen journalism, individuals now run their own blogs and use social media platforms to publish news and opinions.

He pointed out that the transformation in the media ecosystem also led to the opening of new areas such as fact checking.

AS Balasubramanya, professor emeritus of Karnatak University, said the rapid growth of digital media has provided new opportunities for accessing large amounts of information and creating content.

He emphasized that educational institutions need to update equipment and training methods to ensure that students entering the field are ready to work with modern technologies.

He noted that many professionals around the world are leaving their jobs in traditional media due to the changing nature of the industry, while others are starting independent digital platforms.

Emphasizing adaptability, he encouraged students to understand emerging media platforms, learn new skills, and adapt their mindset to the changing media landscape.

Gurunath Kadaboor, Deputy Director of News and Public Relations Department, emphasized the need to adapt to technology and said that journalists should undergo changes from time to time.

Journalist Srikant Kubakaddi, Director of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Sanjaykumar Malagatti, former Joint Director of Information and Public Relations Basavaraj Kambi, JM Chandunavar, Suresh Hiremath and others were present.