Swarrnim School of Journalism and Mass Communications collaborates with ASCI to promote ethical advertising

Ahmedabad : Swarrnim School of Journalism and Mass Communications, which is affiliated with the Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). The idea behind the collaboration between the two revered institutions is to promote ethical advertising practices and disseminating ethics and code of advertising among students through academic interventions.

ASCI is a self-regulatory body of the advertising industry, based in Mumbai. As part of the MoU, both the institutions will collaborate on the matter of education, training, and research with a view to contribute to the cause of honest and ethical advertising practices. Given the dynamic nature of advertising, it is envisioned that preventive and proactive approaches which impact the point of advertising creation are both necessary and desirable and the awareness about such approaches is important from the academic stage itself.

The collaboration also envisages activities and projects that support stakeholders in the advertising ecosystem including industry stakeholders, students, faculty members, consumers, and their representatives, among others, in understanding their roles, responsibilities and rights. Similarly, the collaboration will also strive to bring emerging facets of advertising responsibility and consumer vulnerabilities to the fore. Dr. Shashikant Bhagat, Head, School of Liberal Arts, Journalism and Mass Communication at Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University was instrumental in setting up this collaboration and signing of the MoU.

Dr Kavita Kshatriya, Academic Dean, Technical Program, Swarrnim School of Journalism and Mass Communications, said, “We are happy and proud to associate with ASCI. We believe that our journalism and mass communication as well as management students who are specializing in advertising and marketing communication will certainly be benefitted from ASCI Code of Ethics through collaborative academic approach.”

ASCI and SJMC will jointly undertake program and content development and dissemination on advertising ethics and related topics for students, faculty, industry, consumers and their representatives, as part of the collaboration.

ASCI Academy will conduct online training for Student Vigilant Awareness Campaigns on creating an ecosystem of vigilant consumers and provide guidance on the online complaint management process. That apart, it will also invite faculty and students to attend periodic webinars and provide opportunities for student interaction with industry professionals to further understanding of ethical and responsible advertising and associated topics.

Commenting on the collaboration, Manisha Kapoor, CEO & Secretary General, ASCI said, “As part of our partnerships with academia through the ASCI Academy, we are thrilled to tie up with Swarrnim School of Journalism and Mass Communications to promote ethical advertising practices among the professionals of the industry. Through this, we aim to equip students with the knowledge and tools necessary to create advertising that is not only effective but also responsible and ethical. By working together, we can ensure that the next generation of advertising professionals understand the importance and impact of ethical and responsible advertising practices.”