TFP Bureau, Raipur, December 12,2024: Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur, marked International Human Rights Day on December 10, 2024, with a thought-provoking workshop titled “Shaping Truths: The Nexus of Media, AI, and Human Rights.” The event, part of the university’s Constitution@75 Series and CG-LEARN initiative, delved into the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and media systems, exploring their far-reaching implications for human rights.
The workshop featured three thematic sessions designed to engage a diverse audience, including government officials, journalists, academics, and students from the fields of law and mass communication. The discussions centered on the ethical and human rights challenges posed by AI in the media, aligning with HNLU’s commitment to addressing contemporary challenges while upholding constitutional values.
The event opened with a session on “Manufacturing Consent: AI-Driven Amplification,” led by HNLU Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) V.C. Vivekanandan. He highlighted AI’s role in amplifying content, stating, “Social Media are just technologies that facilitate conversations. AI systems are designed to optimize for certain outcomes, which can lead to the prioritization of sensationalist or polarizing content. AI’s potential to amplify misinformation and echo chambers needs to be guarded.”
The second session, “AI-Driven Journalism: Balancing Innovation with Ethical Reporting,” was conducted by Mr. John Joseph, Former Coordinating Editor at *The Times of India*, Raipur. Mr. Joseph stressed the need for a partnership between AI and human judgment to ensure ethical and accurate reporting. He proposed that AI-generated content should be clearly labeled to maintain accountability, adding, “Technology should serve humanity—not the other way around.”
The final session, “Deep Fakes and Media Manipulation,” was delivered by Dr. Deepak Kumar Srivastava, Director of the School of Law & Governance at HNLU. He warned of the dangers posed by deepfakes, stating, “This technology, combined with the viral nature of social media, contributes to the broader phenomenon of media manipulation and disinformation.”
The event attracted Public Relations Officers from various government departments in Chhattisgarh, media professionals, faculty members from AAFT University of Media & Arts, and students from across the country. Dr. Kiran Kori, Head of the Center for Law & Human Rights at HNLU, welcomed the attendees.
The workshop was coordinated by HNLU faculty members Ms. Garima Panwar and Mr. Abhinav K. Shukla, under the guidance of Dr. Deepak Kumar Shrivastava. It was jointly organized by the university’s Center for Law & Governance, Center for Innovation & IP, and Center for Law & Human Rights.
