Public Relations, Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Punjab organised Career Counselling Seminar on Legal Journalism. Mr. Saurabh Malik, Deputy Legal Editor, The Tribune, Chandigarh and Mr. Tanuj Kalia, CEO, Lawctopus addressed various dimensions and scope of legal journalism in the print and online media. Dr. Navleen Multani, Assistant Professor in English & PRO, RGNUL welcomed the experts.
“Legal Journalism explicitly defines truth and unravels fascinating facets of the field of law. It requires special skills and professional discipline to excel in this emerging field,” she said.Mr. Saurabh Malik delivered a talk on “Legal Journalism: Not Just Telling the Court Story”. He acquainted the students with reporting on courts and media coverage of court cases.
Mr Saurabh Malik observed, "Generally, media coverage of court cases is episodic. Articles by legal journalists are enterprising as these enable readers to understand complex issues implicated or foregrounded by the episodic stories." “Good researching and writing skills are imperative for legal journalists,” said Mr. Malik.
Elaborating on the requirements of the profession, Mr. Malik said, “Legal journalists must provide clarity to readers. Diploma or degree in journalism prepares a law graduate to meet the demands of the profession.” He added that legal journalists have a responsibility to report with veracity.
He also deliberated on the expanding scope of legal journalism in technologically advanced times. Mr. Malik cautioned the students that verbal observations, arguments and judgments should be reported with utmost diligence by legal journalists.
Mr. Tanuj Kalia deliberated on “Careers in Legal Media and Journalism”. He accentuated the role of media in raising legal awareness and making laws comprehensible to common man. He said that research, writing, editing, formatting and proof reading skills were necessary for career in legal journalism.
“Any law graduate with good researching and writing skills can move to legal journalism. In order to climb up the career ladder, one must merge two disciplines/fields of knowledge for efficacy,” said Mr. Kalia. He spoke about new trends in legal media due to emergence of artificial intelligence.
Mr. Kalia elaborated on the avenues available for internship in legal journalism. He also apprised the students about the growth of his website and new initiatives of Lawctopus, viz., Notice Bard and Lawctopus Law School.Dr. Jasleen Kewlani, Assistant Professor of Sociology; Dr. Sangeeta Taak, Assistant Professor of Law and Dr. Shiva Satish Sharda, Assistant Professor of Law were panelists for the sessions.
While making observations, Dr. Kewlani said, “The truth reported by the journalist generates balanced perspectives in society”. Dr. Shiva Satish Sharda remarked, “Legal journalism is different from investigative journalism”. Dr. Sangeeta Taak extended a vote of thanks.