Hyderabad: The Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), brought together students, faculty, and media experts today for an interactive session on Road Safety Awareness. The discussion focused on how media and storytelling can inspire behavioural change and civic responsibility in society.
The session aimed to encourage young communicators to view road safety not merely as a matter of traffic discipline but as a broader issue of public health, civic responsibility, and ethical storytelling. It forms part of MANUU’s larger effort to connect classroom learning with real-world communication challenges.
Setting the tone, Prof. Mohammad Fariyad, Dean, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, said that communication students have an important role to play in translating data into awareness. “When students learn to frame stories around social responsibility, like road safety, they not only inform audiences but also save lives,” he remarked.
Prof. Ehtesham Ahmad Khan, Head of the Department, announced that a dedicated resource hub on Road Safety will soon be created on the MANUU website.
Highlighting the health aspects, Dr. Syed Hubbe Ali, Health Specialist, UNICEF India Country Office, emphasized that road traffic injuries are one of the leading causes of death among children and adolescents aged 5–19 years in India. “Road crashes are not only a transportation issue—they are a major but under-recognized health burden. We must strengthen trauma care systems, empower communities with first-response knowledge, and ensure that child safety remains central to all mobility planning,” he said.
The session concluded with an open dialogue between students and faculty on how responsible journalism can promote prevention-focused coverage. Many students showed enthusiasm for creating road safety features and digital campaigns as part of their coursework.
