The AJK Mass Communication Research Centre at Jamia Millia Islamia is set to host the 13th edition of AINAA, its annual journalism festival, on February 16 and 17. Organised by students of the M.A. Convergent Journalism programme, the two-day event will bring together prominent journalists, filmmakers, authors, social media influencers and media practitioners for a series of discussions and interactions.
With over 15 speakers scheduled to participate, the festival will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, a townhall session, documentary screenings and a photo exhibition. The keynote address will be delivered by senior journalist Saeed Naqvi, while a townhall with Rajdeep Sardesai, Consulting Editor at India Today, is expected to be one of the highlights of the event.
Other noted journalists and media professionals who will participate include Smita Sharma, Poonam Agarwal, Chinki Sinha and Mariyam Alavi. The festival will also spotlight emerging digital voices such as Priyanshi Sharma, Shadab Moizee, Asad Rehman, Seraj Ali, Zoya Hussain and Hera Rizwan, reflecting the evolving contours of the digital media landscape.
Established in 1982, AJK Mass Communication Research Centre is widely regarded as one of Asia’s premier institutes for journalism and mass communication. Over the decades, it has built a reputation for combining intellectual engagement with hands-on training, preparing students to navigate a rapidly changing media ecosystem.
The M.A. Convergent Journalism programme, launched in 2007, is designed to equip aspiring journalists with cross-platform skills in print, radio, video and digital media. The course emphasises multimedia production and distribution, enabling students to respond to the demands of a fluid and increasingly convergent media environment.
In previous editions, AINAA has hosted leading figures from the media and film industries, evolving into a significant platform for dialogue between students and professionals. The festival continues to offer space for critical conversations around newsroom ethics, digital transformation and the challenges of reporting in contemporary India.
