The School of Journalism and New Media Studies (SOJNMS), organized the National Research Workshop on Exploring the Interplay between Media & Information Literacy and Sustainable Development Goals during September 4–12, 2018. The workshop was attended by 28 participants comprising teaches, researcher scholars, and media professionals from different parts of the country. In addition to media and information literacy, the workshop also covered different aspects of research methodologies.

Prof. Nageshwar Rao, Vice Chancellor, IGNOU, in his inaugural address stressed the role of different media especially social media in the present context as mobile has enabled media’s reach to everyone with simple tap or a touch. He argued that despite information deluge consumer of information is smart enough to separate wheat from the chaff.

Prof. Jagtar Singh, Punjabi University, Patiala was the Guest of Honour who emphasized the role of MIL role in empowering the citizens to make informed decisions. MIL is essential to enables people to derive full benefits of the fundamental human rights and freedoms as well as enable sound social discourse.

Director, SOJNMS Prof. Shambhu Nath Singh in his welcome address said that the workshop is extremely useful as it would delve upon the various facets of media including content, dissemination and consumption.

Dr. K S Arul Selvan of SOJNMS, Workshop Coordinator in his introductory remarks defined Media and Information Literacy (MIL) as an ability to access, analyze, and create media to realize the rights to freedom of information and expression.

Prof J S Yadav, former Director, IIMC, stressed the need for a holistic approach for doing research in Sustainable Development Goals and argued that the SOJNMS can take up projects in new emerging areas. Ms Udita Chaturvedi from Digital Empowerment Foundation with the help of some cases explained how customizing the digital literacy programme of DEF as per Indian needs enhanced its outcomes.

The aim of the workshop was to facilitate the understanding of the interplay between MIL and Sustainable development Goals (SDGs) and to explore the potential issues for research within the realm of SDGs. In addition to Research Methodology; the workshop gave the participants from Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, UP and other places an opportunity to learn the basics of Statistics, Statistical softwares and writing research proposals. Over the course of eight days resource persons from IGNOU, IIMC and AJKMCRC shared their knowledge and experiences with the participants.

In addition to the technical sessions the scholars also participated in group and individual activities. Six groups of 4-5 participants made presentations and explained various MIL theoretical frameworks pertaining to convergence, human rights, empowerment, knowledge societies, cultural and linguistic development and gender based approaches.
Under the supervision of SOJNMS faculty, each participant developed a research proposal for conducting a study in the area of MIL and SDGs. They made presentations on the last day of the workshop attended by Dr Archana Kumar, Associate Professor, Lady Irwin College, DU, Professor Shmabhu Nath Singh, the then Director SOJNMS, and faculty members of SOJNMS who gave their valuable feedback and suggestions.