MICA professor debates UNESCO's report on trend in 'Freedom of Expression'

A professor at MICA, who recently participated in a debate on World Trends in Freedom of Expression, held in the USA, spoke vastly in favour of pluralism.

The debate comprised six academicians from across six countries, comparing reports on global trends to those in their localities. Dr Manisha Pathak-Shelat, Chairperson for Communication Management and Development, at MICA, argued how the affordable rate of data has caused a sudden jump in the number of dedicated smartphone/Internet users that were conventionally not seen as probable content consumers in India.

"A lot of new, vibrant, and diverse content in diverse genres is being produced across media platforms and especially on the net, in India. A lot more content by and about feminist, queer, and Dalit communities are observed. The question, however, remains if the mainstream audiences are consuming this diverse and critical content. In that sense filter bubbles and Echo chambers very much exist and in fact, are getting more and denser," she said.

She also suggested that our education must go beyond teaching marketable skills.