A Mega Faculty Development Programme (FDP) was organized today by the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) Deemed to be University, in collaboration with the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) at IIMC’s New Delhi campus. The programme aimed to sensitize faculty members from different institutions, specializing in Media, Advertising, Marketing, Law, and Management, to the principles of responsible advertising, self-regulation and the evolving media landscape.

The inaugural session was graced by Shri C. Senthil Rajan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB); Dr. Anupama Bhatnagar, Vice Chancellor, IIMC; Ms. Manisha Kapoor, CEO and Secretary General, ASCI; and Mr. Chandan Mukherji, Director & Senior Vice President – Strategy, Marketing & Communication, Nestlé. Dr. Nimish Rustagi, Registrar, IIMC, was also present on the occasion.

Delivering the keynote address, Shri C. Senthil Rajan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) emphasized the urgent need to conduct such programmes regularly to equip the next generation of content creators with the necessary knowledge of advertising codes and ethical frameworks. He said, “Every content creator must understand the rules and regulations that govern advertising. IIMC is producing some of the finest creative minds in India, and initiatives like this workshop sharpen their skills and enhance their awareness. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting will be very happy to support more such workshops and events for faculty and students to raise awareness about ethics in the advertising industry.”

He also informed the audience about the setting up of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in Mumbai to promote excellence in creative fields.

In her address, Dr. Anupama Bhatnagar, Vice Chancellor of IIMC, underlined the importance of ethical advertising and encouraged the participating faculty to integrate the insights gained into classroom teaching. She remarked, “We believe in enhancing the creative capabilities of our students while grounding them in ethical practices. Students should be able to distinguish between good advertising and misleading messaging.”

Ms. Manisha Kapoor, CEO and Secretary General of ASCI, reiterated the importance of holding such Faculty Development Programmes, and offered insights on the ASCI Code and the expanding role of self-regulation in the digital age. She said, “To strengthen our footprint in responsible advertising, we must start with those who train the future professionals. These discussions are vital in building a consumer-trust-driven advertising ecosystem.”

Speaking on responsible communication, Mr. Chandan Mukherji from Nestlé emphasized that brands must uphold trust, ethics, and responsibility in every public message. He noted, “Advertising is not just about selling - it’s about building relationships and trust with society.

Dr Nimish Rustagi, Registrar, IIMC, who is also a consumer behavior researcher said, “Ethics in advertising has never been more important than in today’s digital age. The power that advertisers have with the data mining of online consumer behavior demands that ethics be a core value of an advertiser. This alone can ensure that consumer well-being is not eroded and consumer agency is respected.”

The day-long programme featured insightful sessions on topics such as “The Need for Responsible Advertising,” “The ASCI Code,” “From Responsive to Responsible Advertising,” and “The Evolving Role of ASCI,” offering participants a comprehensive understanding of ethical standards and self-regulation in the advertising industry. These insightful sessions were conducted by Dr. Saheli Sinha, Director, Operations at the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), who provided participants with a deep understanding of the principles and practices of self-regulation in advertising.

Ms. Namrata Bachani, Director, ASCI Academy said, “The Joint Mega FDP is a demonstration of ASCI’s commitment to ensuring trust in advertising. The faculty trained at the workshop will pass on the learnings to students who will comprise the next generation of advertising professionals. We are happy to have partnered with IIMC and the MIB for this.”

The inaugural session was moderated by Dr. Meeta Ujjain, Associate Professor, IIMC and the vote of thanks was delivered by Prof. (Dr.) Pramod Kumar, Convenor of the FDP. The event saw participation from 98 faculty members representing different institutions from across India.

During the Joint Mega FDP, Shri @csrajan, Joint Secretary, @MIB_India, delivered the keynote address. He stressed the need for regular sessions to equip future content creators with knowledge of Advertising Codes.#EmpoweringEthicalAdvertising #advertisements @ascionline pic.twitter.com/yruXYA2gbj
— Indian Institute of Mass Communication (@IIMC_India) July 4, 2025

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Dharmendra Tewari/ Navin Sreejith/ Aparajita Priyadarshini

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