3rd Convocation Ceremony of Haridev Joshi University of Journalism, Jaipur

*Journalists Should Strive to be 'Most Accurate,' Not Just 'First' to Report: Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Shri Vasudev Devnani*

*Include Parliamentary Journalism in the Curriculum: Shri Devnani*

Jaipur : Shri Vasudev Devnani, Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, has called upon journalists to act as a bridge between the government and society, discharging their duties with truth, impartiality, and responsibility. He urged young journalists to strive to be "the most accurate" in their reporting, rather than merely aiming to be "the first."

Shri Devnani was addressing the 3rd Convocation Ceremony of the Haridev Joshi University of Journalism and Mass Communication in Jaipur as the Chief Guest. He appealed to journalists to recognize their responsibilities amidst the looming global crises of the present era and to uphold the *Dharma* (ethical duty) of journalism with a spirit of "Nation First." This dignified ceremony, held at the Rajasthan International Centre, was presided over by the Governor of Rajasthan and Chancellor of the University, Shri Haribhau Bagde. The State's Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Higher and Technical Education, Dr. Prem Chand Bairwa, served as the Guest of Honour. The ceremony was attended by numerous dignitaries, including the University's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nand Kishore Pandey.

Addressing the gathering, Assembly Speaker Shri Vasudev Devnani stated that a convocation ceremony is not merely an occasion to receive a degree, but a symbolic testament to the trust that the nation and society repose in future journalists. He emphasized that journalism is not merely a profession, but a medium for dedicating oneself to the pursuit of truth and the service of society. He called upon young journalists to prioritize delivering "the most accurate" news over the urge to be "the first" to break a story.

*The Media: A Strong Pillar of Democracy*

Speaker Shri Devnani remarked that the media constitutes the fourth pillar of democracy, serving as a vital bridge between the government and society. Citing the Emergency imposed in the country in 1975, he noted that during that tumultuous period, the press set a courageous precedent in defending freedom of expression by leaving their editorial columns blank—framed within black borders—as a mark of protest against censorship. Ultimately, it was democracy that triumphed. He told journalists, “Recognize the power of your pen, for it does not merely write words; it shapes history.”

*Increased Responsibility in the Digital Age*

Referring to the current digital era, Mr. Devanani stated that the flow of information has become extremely rapid today, and in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the very nature of journalism is undergoing rapid transformation. However, alongside this, serious challenges such as “fake news,” “malicious propaganda,” and “misinformation” have also emerged. In such a scenario, the role of the media has become even more critical. He emphasized that a single piece of false news inflicts a severe blow to the trust of society.

*The Contribution of Journalism to the Freedom Struggle*

Highlighting the pivotal role played by journalists during the freedom movement, Devnani cited the examples of great leaders—who were also journalists—such as Shri Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi, Shri Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, and the Architect of the Constitution, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. He remarked that, in that era, journalism served as a powerful medium for public awakening and for driving the freedom struggle. He also made mention of the association with journalism held by former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and current Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Specifically referring to Prime Minister Modi’s "Mann Ki Baat" program broadcast on All India Radio, he stated that the media is not merely a conduit for information, but also a potent instrument for social change. Furthermore, acknowledging the contributions of eminent journalists in Rajasthan—such as Shri Vijay Singh Pathik, Shri Karpur Chand Kulish, and Shri Narayan Barhat—he noted that these figures, by steadfastly adhering to the truth and maintaining impartiality, became agents of political and social transformation through their journalistic endeavors.

*Ethics Essential Alongside Technology—* Assembly Speaker Devnani observed that, amidst the growing influence of "mobile journalism," "citizen journalism," and "social media" today, the role of the trained journalist has become even more critical. He emphasized that while technology serves merely as a medium, the true strength of journalism lies in its credibility and ethical foundation. Devnani urged journalists to recognize that society requires not just negative news, but rather positive and solution-oriented journalism. He suggested that the media, by maintaining discipline and engaging in self-introspection, should present news stories that foster social cohesion, raise public awareness, and inspire citizens.

*Include Parliamentary Journalism in the Curriculum—* Assembly Speaker Devnani proposed to journalism universities that they incorporate "Parliamentary Journalism" into their academic curricula. The objective, he noted, is to enable future journalists to serve as guardians of democracy—capable of accurately and effectively presenting to the public the coverage of legislative proceedings, the voices raised by public representatives on parliamentary platforms, and issues of public interest. He further pointed out that, on occasion, the Speaker issues directives to expunge certain objectionable words from the official proceedings of the House. Journalists should refrain from publishing such portions of legislative proceedings and must adhere to the code of ethics.

Mr. Devnani also emphasized the preservation of India's knowledge traditions, culture, and regional languages. He stated that journalists should remain rooted in their heritage and contribute to promoting the rich literature of Indian and regional languages. Devnani urged journalism students not to view their profession merely as a job, but to embrace it as a mission. Making truth, impartiality, and courage their guiding principles, they should play an active role in nation-building and social upliftment. Mr. Devnani extended his congratulations and best wishes to all the students receiving their degrees, as well as to their parents and mentors.

Presiding over the ceremony, Governor Mr. Haribhau Bagde remarked that this is the opportune moment for the renaissance of *Sanatan* culture and for correcting and rewriting distorted historical narratives. He asserted that the responsibility of conveying accurate history to future generations rests with the current generation of journalists, as they are currently in a position to discharge this duty—presenting the true history to the nation—without succumbing to any external pressure. Citing the examples of Veer Savarkar and Kiran Devi—the valiant heroine of Bikaner—he stated that the onus of bringing the factual truths of history to the public lies squarely on the shoulders of the contemporary journalistic fraternity. The Governor also advised against the pursuit of "breaking news" and sensationalism. Furthermore, he underscored the necessity of taking timeless epics—such as the *Ramayana*, the *Mahabharata*, and the *Srimad Bhagavat*—to every household, viewing them as sources of moral wisdom and spiritual insight. Governor Bagde also acknowledged and named several eminent journalists who have contributed significantly to the evolution and journey of journalism in Rajasthan.

The ceremony's Guest of Honor—Dr. Prem Chand Bairwa, the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Higher and Technical Education of Rajasthan—stated that journalists serve as the mirrors of society, the vigilant sentinels of democracy, and the conduits of public consciousness and social justice; they must actively participate in securing justice for the marginalized sections of society. Additionally, he urged journalists to continuously update their knowledge and skills as they advance in their careers.

At the commencement of the ceremony, the University's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nandkishore Pandey stated that the university has shifted to its permanent campus, which is equipped with modern resources. This is the only university in Rajasthan dedicated to Journalism and Mass Communication; many talented students who have graduated from here are currently working in renowned media organizations across the country, while numerous others are launching their own media startups.

During the ceremony, degrees—spanning the undergraduate, postgraduate, and *Vidya Vachaspati* levels—were conferred upon 271 journalism students by the guests of honor, recognizing those who successfully cleared their final examinations in the years 2024 and 2025. Additionally, 35 students were awarded Merit Certificates, and 12 received Gold Medals. The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the University Registrar, Mr. Lakshminarayan Sharma.