New Delhi: The 13th edition of AINAA, the annual journalism festival organised by MA Convergent Journalism students at Jamia Millia Islamia’s AJK Mass Communication Research Centre (MCRC) concluded on February 17 in New Delhi, featuring discussions on media ethics, investigative reporting, digital shifts and frontline journalism.
Senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai described a significant portion of the Indian media as a “caged peacock” preferring instead to identify as a “vulture” in his remarks that highlighted concerns over press freedom and independence in India.
The comment came during his session titled “The Newsroom Playbook” on the second day of the two-day event (February 16-17), moderated by Prof. Tarjeet Sabharwal, senior faculty at AJK MCRC and Director of the Centre For Culture Media & Governance, Jamia Millia Islamia, Sardesai reflected on his over 38-year career in television and digital journalism.
“Today, a large section of the Indian media is a caged peacock… and I would rather be a vulture than a caged peacock,” Sardesai said, underscoring the pressures shaping contemporary newsrooms amid rapid information flow and an increasingly interconnected world. He added that “today’s news is tomorrow’s history,” emphasising the need for journalists to adapt while maintaining core principles.
The festival, now in its 13th edition since its inception in 2014, serves as a platform for discussions on the evolving media landscape, ethics and challenges faced by journalists. This year, it brought together veteran reporters, editors, independent journalists and media educators for speaker sessions and panel discussions.
Day 1 commenced with a welcome address by Prof. Sabeena Gadihoke (Director, AJK MCRC), Sadia Akhtar, Course Coordinator for the MA Convergent Journalism programme then took the floor, highlighting AINAA’s unique strength in empowering students to drive thoughtful discussions on the core responsibilities that define good journalism.
The keynote was delivered by veteran journalist Saeed Naqvi who spoke on “The World as I Saw It.” Drawing from five decades of experience, Naqvi shared insights from interviewing figures like Nelson Mandela and collaborating with photographers such as Raghu Rai and journalists like Mark Tully. The session, moderated by Prof. Shohini Ghosh, provided historical context to the craft.
Independent journalist Poonam Agarwal and senior journalist Mariyam Alavi joined The Quint’s Shadab Moizee for the panel “Investigative Journalism: Changing Newsroom Priorities?”. With more than two decades of combined experience, the speakers examined high-profile investigations – including the Electoral Bond scheme – the importance of institutional support, and the growing challenges of producing long-form reporting amid today’s rapid news cycles.
Priyanshi Sharma (PEEK TV), Shadab Moizee (The Quint), and Asad Rehman (The Indian Express) took part in the engaging panel discussion “Is Digital the New Mainstream?”. They discussed social media’s dominance in news consumption, multimedia demands and expectations for young journalists in hybrid environments. Sharma remarked, “The existence of fact checkers today is a shame for all journalists because it was the job of journalists to verify information which they failed to do.”
The day ended with a conversation between senior journalist Smita Sharma and Karan Deep Singh on “Between Bullets & Bylines,” examining the realities of conflict reporting and its personal impact. An alumni meet followed, featuring screenings of student documentaries and informal networking over dinner.
Following Sardesai’s address On Day 2, Chinki Sinha, Editor of Outlook magazine spoke on “Navigating Newsroom Innovations.” She addressed technological shifts, narrative experimentation and the value of the female gaze in journalism, citing recent magazine covers as examples of preserving reportage’s essence.
The final panel Reporting From the Hinterland featured Jamia alumni Seraj Ali, Journalist of BBC, Zoya Hussain (independent Journalist), and Hera Rizwan (BOOMLive), moderated by Sadia Akhtar. Participants stressed the urban-rural media disconnect, the need for on-ground reporting to avoid misrepresentation, and institutional support against legal challenges in sensitive regions.
A curated set of documentary films produced by MACJ students as part of their coursework were screened to conclude the festival. The films offered narratives ranging from cultural micro-stories to broader social themes. The line up was Pahchaan, Hujoom, Gully Gully Six Six, Marghat and Dariya. The screenings were well-received and sparked conversations about visual ethics, representation, and the responsibility of emerging filmmakers.
AINAA 2026 concluded with a closing address by Mohammad Usmani, Course Coordinator for MA Convergent Journalism, who commended the student teams for conceptualising and executing the festival. He emphasised the continued importance of such forums in shaping thoughtful, ethically grounded journalists.
AINAA 2026 reaffirmed its position as a key forum for bridging experienced professionals with aspiring journalists, fostering critical reflection on a media environment marked by speed, digital disruption, and ongoing debates over independence and accountability.
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