Dr. B. Balaswamy Professor & Head of Department of Communication and Journalism University College of Arts & Social Sciences, Osmanaia University has stated the University Grants Commission (UGC) has sanctioned Rs. 183 crore and extended the tenure of Centre for Advanced Study (CAS) in Journalism fir five more years in the department of Communication and Journalism, Osmania University . During the second phase extending over the next five years to 2019 under the CAS-II, the Centre has to undertake research, set up a Media Credibility Lab (MCL) and a Mass Communication Documentation Centre (MCDC) and strengthen training infrastructure to meet the industry requirements.
The Department proposes to set up MCL and will frame a media credibility index in consultation with various stakeholders of the media. Initially , the print media contents would be monitored with the media credibility index and later the electronic media would also be included. Periodic reports would be generated which would be made available online and also in print form to the media industry, academicians, researchers and civil society. MCL is one of its kind in the country. It will strive to provide inputs for making media into stronger defenders of free speech while remaining socially responsible.
Under CAS-II the department also proposes to set up MCDC to compile indexes, prepare bibliographies, abstracts and monographs. This is to fill a gap as nationally there is no body to document knowledge generated in the country on media and allied subjects. The resources collected under MCDC will made available through open access.
It may be recalled that the Journalism Department of Osamania University is the only Department in the country to be conferred the status of Centre for Advanced Study in Journalism by the University Grants Commission in 2008. The sanction of CAS-II has special significance as it is the 60th year of the inception of this department, which was established in 1954.
————NSS