Greater Noida: In line of lecture series being organised by Department of Mass communication and media studies department, of Gautam Buddha university, a special lecture on current pandemic situation under title of Challenges of effective crisis communication: India’s response to Covid-19 Pandemic, was delivered by Mr. Sunil Kumar Shukla, Deputy Director , Regional Outreach Bureau, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India.  The online lecture was started by Prof. Bandana Pandey, Head of the department with the welcome note to the eminent guest. In her opening remark, Prof. Pandey informed the participants the objective behind the topic selected. In her remarks she talked about the importance of Positive communication in any crises situation generally and specifically to the present Covid-19 Pandemic situation and role of media in establishing this form of communication. Citing the 7 Cs theory of communication, Prof. Pandey further elaborates the relevance of Positive communication by quoting मन के हारे हार है, मन के जीते जीत , in which media has its important role to play, in not only disseminating the information but also creating an atmosphere in which an individual might not feel mental stress.

Challenges of effective crisis communication: India’s Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Mr. Sunil Kumar Shukla who has decades of Journalistic and Administrative experience provides insights from Ground zero. In his lecture he talked on number of issues circulating the current pandemic situation and role of media in it. Emphasizing the role of media in containing the crises situation, Mr. Shukla shows his concern over the working scenarios of present media According to him, the media requires to play a more cooperative and supportive role in such situations. Criticising the media of not publishing about Covid-19 in its initial days, Mr. Shukla seeks the media to work for the betterment of society in positive way rather than criticising the Government efforts. Furthur while mentioning the successful Government efforts taken to contain Covid-19 by various states, Mr. Shukla shows his concern over the Fake News and how National media could stop spreading such news. In the end of his lecture, Mr. Shukla acknowledges the two way communication pattern of social media as its power , that could be used by the media organisations to establish a state of Positivity amid such situation.  The session was ended by Thanks giving note by Dr. Rajshree Adhikary, Faculty of the department. In her concluding remarks she credits Mr. Shukla for his valuable remarks and sees its practical usage by the media students amid and Head of the department Prof. Pandey for organising the series with the objective of building a healthy mind set during this crisis period.  The Lecture Series was started on 16 july 2020, as a Departmental initiative. This was the second in line, on Google Meet Platform and live on Facebook account and You tube channel of the department of mass communication and media studies.