IUST Media Students Perform Street Play to Combat Misinformation During Press Freedom Week

AWANTIPORA, MAY 06: The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at the Islamic University of Science and Technology marked World Press Freedom Week on Wednesday with a thought-provoking street theatre performance titled “News or Noise?” Directed by Haifaa Mohammad and performed by media students, the play aimed to educate the public on the critical distinction between professional journalism and sensationalized digital content.

Rabia Noor, Head of the Department, emphasized that the initiative serves as a reminder that verified facts and journalistic ethics are the true foundations of news, contrasting sharply with the unverified information often found on mobile screens.

The performance drew a large audience, including senior university officials and scholars, who gathered to watch students highlight the modern challenges of misinformation and the rapid spread of digital rumors.

Afroz Bisati, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, noted that street theatre remains a powerful tool for reaching young audiences directly, while Dean Outreach Ruheela Hassan raised concerns about the rise of untrained individuals claiming to be journalists.

The play underscored the necessity of professional training and ethical standards in an era where social media often blurs the line between credible reporting and mere noise.

Faculty members and guest speakers, including senior multimedia journalist Shabir Ahmad Bhat, praised the creative effort for its alignment with the experiential learning goals of the National Education Policy 2020.

They observed that in today’s media landscape, audiences frequently gravitate toward sensationalism, making such awareness campaigns vital for encouraging responsible media consumption.

The event concluded with the felicitation of the student performers and the director, reinforcing the university’s commitment to leading a positive narrative in the field of communications.