SVU Hosts Grand Seminar and Moot Court on ‘Freedom of Expression’ to Mark World Press Freedom Day

• - Journalists’ role in India’s freedom struggle was no less than that of revolutionaries: Sudhir Giri
• - Media is the fourth and strongest pillar of democracy: Prof. (Dr.) Udayveer Singh

Meerut, May 3. Shri Venkateshwara University, located on the National Highway Bypass, organized a grand seminar and moot court ceremony on the theme of ‘Freedom of Expression’ to commemorate World Press Freedom Day. The event was a collaborative effort between the Departments of Journalism & Mass Communication and Law. The seminar was graced by eminent historian and legal scholar Prof. (Dr.) Udayveer Singh as the chief guest, who was felicitated with a memento by the university management.

The program commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp before Goddess Saraswati by Founder Chairman Sudhir Giri, Pro-Chancellor Dr. Rajeev Tyagi, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Krishnakant Dave, and Dean of Law Dr. Rajvardhan Singh, marking the spiritual beginning of the academic discourse.

In his keynote address, Prof. (Dr.) Udayveer Singh emphasized that, "Freedom of expression is the soul of democracy. It means that even the most marginalized individuals in society must be able to voice their thoughts and concerns without fear or pressure. However, unregulated social media platforms, lacking editorial oversight, often propagate misleading and baseless information, creating social discord." He called for responsible journalism and pledged support for the mission to serve the public through fearless and honest media.

Journalists’ Contribution Equal to Revolutionaries

Founder Chairman Sudhir Giri stated that the role of journalists in India’s independence movement was as significant as that of the revolutionaries. He highlighted the continued constructive role of the media in shaping modern India. “Media serves as a vital bridge between the public and the authorities,” he remarked.

Call for Mission-Driven Journalism

Dr. Rajeev Tyagi, Pro-Chancellor, urged students and media professionals to rise above divisive ideologies and contribute to the vision of a developed India through ethical and mission-oriented journalism. He reaffirmed that media remains the strongest pillar of democracy, amplifying the voice of the people.

The highlight of the event was a live moot court session, where law students argued cases related to freedom of speech, showcasing their legal acumen and understanding of constitutional rights.

Prominent attendees included Registrar Dr. Piyush Pandey, Dean Academics Dr. Rajesh Singh, Dr. Yogeshwar Sharma, Dr. Shyamlal Singh, Dr. Muskan Gangwar, Dr. Anil Jaiswal, Ms. Suman Meena, Mr. Ashok Kumar, Ms. Purva Bala, Mr. Sachin Kumar, Mr. Ajay Kumar, and Dr. Pratap Singh, Director of SVU's Meerut campus. Media Coordinator Vishwas Rana and Public Relations Officer Dr. Shriram Gupta also played key roles in organizing the event.

The event concluded with a pledge by all participants to uphold the dignity of journalism and act as the voice of the voiceless, followed by the national anthem.