Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Government College for Women, M.A. Road, Srinagar, organised a guest lecture by Mr. Ishfaq Ahmad Shah, News Editor, Regional News Unit (RNU), All India Radio (Akashvani), Srinagar, on December 9, 2025.
During his lecture, Mr. Shah traced his professional journey from print journalism to broadcast media and public service broadcasting. He introduced All India Radio as India’s largest public service broadcaster and described AIR Srinagar as one of the oldest and most trusted radio stations in the country. He provided students with a simplified insider view of the functioning of the Regional News Unit, explaining the stages involved in radio news production, bulletin structuring, and editorial decision-making.
Sharing experiences from the AIR newsroom, Mr. Shah emphasised radio’s continuing relevance in India in terms of reach, credibility, and public trust. He discussed the skills students need to develop for a career in radio journalism and outlined various career opportunities in broadcasting, including roles such as newsreader, announcer, and programme executive. He also suggested practical exercises for students to simulate the news production process followed at All India Radio.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. (Dr.) Yasmeen Farooq, Principal of the college, extended a warm welcome to the guest speaker and appreciated the department for organising sessions that bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice. She observed that such interactions help students understand the practical realities of newsroom functioning beyond textbooks. Highlighting the credibility of All India Radio as a public service broadcaster, she stressed the importance of accuracy, balance, and responsibility in journalism, especially in an era marked by information overload and unverified content.
The session commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Suhail Ahmad, Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Dr. Suhail highlighted the guest speaker’s rich professional journey across print journalism, broadcast media, and academia. He noted that Mr. Shah’s earlier association with the department as a faculty member made the occasion a meaningful homecoming. Emphasising the relevance of radio in the contemporary media landscape, he underlined that despite the dominance of television and social media, radio continues to remain a vital and credible medium.
Dr. Suhail also placed on record his sincere thanks to Prof. (Dr.) Yasmeen Farooq, Principal, GCW M.A. Road, for her continued support in strengthening academia–industry linkages.
The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer segment, with students actively engaging with the resource person on newsroom practices, ethics, and career prospects in broadcast journalism. Ms. Sadaf Bushra presented Vote of Thanks, expressing gratitude to the college administration for its support and guest speaker for sharing his professional insights with the students.
