{"id":39261,"date":"2026-02-12T09:27:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T09:27:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/?p=39261"},"modified":"2026-02-12T09:27:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T09:27:25","slug":"aaft-hosts-global-festival-of-journalism-noida-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/news\/aaft-hosts-global-festival-of-journalism-noida-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Global Journalism Takes Center Stage: The 14th GFJN Ignites Noida in a Symphony of Media Excellence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>NOIDA, FEBRUARY 12, 2026<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 The air in Film City today isn\u2019t just filled with the usual hum of broadcast towers; it is electrified.&nbsp; Today marks the grand commencement of the&nbsp;<strong>14th Global Festival of Journalism (GFJN) Noida 2026<\/strong>, a three-day flagship marathon of intellect, ethics, and international diplomacy hosted by the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/\">Asian Academy of Film and Television<\/a><\/strong> (AAFT). As the gates of Marwah Studios swing open this morning, it is immediately clear: this is no longer just a festival\u2014it is a global movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/news\/aaft-hosts-global-festival-of-journalism-noida-2026\/#The_Visionary_Architect_Dr_Sandeep_Marwahs_Legacy_of_Excellence\" >The Visionary Architect: Dr. Sandeep Marwah\u2019s Legacy of Excellence<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/news\/aaft-hosts-global-festival-of-journalism-noida-2026\/#Distinguished_Guests_expected_on_the_Dais_include\" >Distinguished Guests expected on the Dais include:<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/news\/aaft-hosts-global-festival-of-journalism-noida-2026\/#Navigating_the_Future_AI_in_the_Newsroom\" >Navigating the Future: AI in the Newsroom<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/news\/aaft-hosts-global-festival-of-journalism-noida-2026\/#Afternoon_Sessions_Conflict_Crisis_and_the_Truth\" >Afternoon Sessions: Conflict, Crisis, and the Truth<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/news\/aaft-hosts-global-festival-of-journalism-noida-2026\/#A_Night_of_Honor_Media_Literacy_and_Global_Excellence\" >A Night of Honor: Media Literacy and Global Excellence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/news\/aaft-hosts-global-festival-of-journalism-noida-2026\/#The_Atmosphere_More_Than_Just_Headlines\" >The Atmosphere: More Than Just Headlines<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Visionary_Architect_Dr_Sandeep_Marwahs_Legacy_of_Excellence\"><\/span><strong>The Visionary Architect: Dr. Sandeep Marwah\u2019s Legacy of Excellence<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To understand the magnitude of the 14th GFJN, one must look at the man who saw the future of media before it arrived. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/about-us\/from-the-presidents-desk\">Dr.&nbsp;Sandeep Marwah<\/a><\/strong>, the Festival President and Chancellor of AAFT, has spent over a decade sculpting this event into the &#8220;Cannes of Journalism&#8221;. His vision has always been twofold: to professionalize the passion of budding journalists and to bridge the gap between local reportage and global diplomacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Under Dr. Marwah\u2019s stewardship, the GFJN has evolved from a campus gathering into a powerhouse platform where the &#8220;who\u2019s who&#8221; of the journalism fraternity converge. His philosophy\u2014that a journalist is a global citizen with a duty to truth\u2014is the DNA of this festival.&nbsp;Today, his presence at the helm continues to inspire a new generation to look beyond the teleprompter and see the human story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Day 1: A Grand Launch Amidst Global Dignitaries<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The festival kicks off this morning with a high-decibel&nbsp;<strong>Inauguration Ceremony<\/strong>&nbsp;scheduled for 11:30 AM in the New Building, setting a sophisticated tone for the days to follow.&nbsp;The stage will be a testament to the festival&#8217;s &#8220;international flavor,&#8221; featuring an extraordinary assembly of diplomatic and media heavyweights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Distinguished_Guests_expected_on_the_Dais_include\"><\/span><strong>Distinguished Guests expected on the Dais include:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cdr. K L Ganju<\/strong>, Hon.&nbsp;Consul, Union of Comoros&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mr.&nbsp;Metsing Ediel Lemphane, Counsellor, Lesotho High Commission&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mr.&nbsp;Ilie Surulescu, Embassy of Romania&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mr.&nbsp;Sanjeev Paliwal, Senior Journalist, Sahitya Aaj Tak&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mr.&nbsp;Sumit Awasthi, Consulting Editor, TimesNow Nav Bharat&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mr.&nbsp;Ramesh Chandra, Editor, Zee Uttar Pradesh &amp; Uttarakhand&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The inauguration will be far more than just speeches; it is a celebration of multidisciplinary art.&nbsp;Following the main event, the&nbsp;<strong>Still Photography Exhibition<\/strong>&nbsp;by SOSP students will be unveiled, alongside dedicated exhibitions for&nbsp;<strong>Animation<\/strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Furniture Design<\/strong>, proving that<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/mass-communication\/how-to-become-a-journalist\/\"> journalism in 2026<\/a><\/strong> is an intersection of visual storytelling and creative craft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Navigating_the_Future_AI_in_the_Newsroom\"><\/span><strong>Navigating the Future: AI in the Newsroom<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Simultaneous to the grand opening, the intellectual engine of the festival will roar to life in&nbsp;<strong>Studio 1E<\/strong>.&nbsp;The seminar&nbsp;<strong>&#8220;AI in Newsrooms: Opportunity or Threat?&#8221;<\/strong>&nbsp;will tackle the most pressing question of our era.&nbsp;As deepfakes and automated reporting become commonplace, the GFJN 2026 is taking a proactive stance, inviting experts to debate how human intuition can coexist with algorithmic efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Afternoon_Sessions_Conflict_Crisis_and_the_Truth\"><\/span><strong>Afternoon Sessions: Conflict, Crisis, and the Truth<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>As the day progresses, the discourse will shift to the grittier, more courageous side of the profession.&nbsp;At 3:30 PM, the New Building will host a pivotal panel discussion:&nbsp;<strong>&#8220;Journalism During Conflict and Crisis: From Local to Global&#8221;<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This session will feature a masterclass in frontline reporting and editorial strategy, with guests including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>HE Alonso Correa Miguel<\/strong>, Ambassador of Panama to India&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ms.&nbsp;Surbhi Sharma, Senior Anchor, TV9&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mr.&nbsp;Pratyush Ranjan, Chief Editor \u2013 Digital, AI &amp; Fact-Checking at PTI&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mr.&nbsp;Pankaj Bhargav, Senior Anchor, News18 India&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ms.&nbsp;Laveena Raj, Anchor, Zee News&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The discussion will delve into the psychological and physical tolls of reporting from war zones. The inclusion of Ms.&nbsp;Avital Barak, Cultural Counsellor from the Embassy of Israel, and a subsequent film screening from&nbsp;<strong>Panama<\/strong>&nbsp;at 3:00 PM, emphasizes that stories of crisis are universal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Night_of_Honor_Media_Literacy_and_Global_Excellence\"><\/span><strong>A Night of Honor: Media Literacy and Global Excellence<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The first day will culminate in a marathon of recognition and education.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<strong>4:30 PM Seminar on Media Literacy<\/strong>&nbsp;is a critical session for the masses in attendance.&nbsp;In an age of information overload, Dr. Marwah and a galaxy of educators will outline the roadmap for discerning truth from propaganda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This will be followed by a prestigious&nbsp;<strong>Award Ceremony and Book Launch<\/strong>, where the festival honours those who have displayed &#8220;Global Excellence&#8221; in their respective fields.&nbsp;From seasoned veterans to rising stars, these awards serve as a reminder that while the medium may change, the merit of hard work remains constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Atmosphere_More_Than_Just_Headlines\"><\/span><strong>The Atmosphere: More Than Just Headlines<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout the day, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/share.google\/5gxIPlFSfB7LErOgN\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Marwah Studios<\/a><\/strong> will be a hive of diverse activity.&nbsp;Attendees can witness the&nbsp;<strong>Inauguration of the Esport Xtream Champions League<\/strong>&nbsp;at 11:00 AM on the Library Floor, or participate in the release of posters for the&nbsp;<strong>International Day of Journalism<\/strong>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<strong>Shaheed Bhagat Singh Forum<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first day has set a bar so high that the next two days are already anticipated with bated breath.&nbsp;The world is watching, and today, Noida is the heart of the global conversation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NOIDA, FEBRUARY 12, 2026&nbsp;\u2013 The air in Film City today isn\u2019t just filled with the usual hum of broadcast towers; it is electrified.&nbsp; Today marks the grand commencement of the&nbsp;14th Global Festival of Journalism (GFJN) Noida 2026, a three-day flagship marathon of intellect, ethics, and international diplomacy hosted by the Asian Academy of Film and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":39273,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[246],"tags":[1359,1360],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39261"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39261"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39261\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39275,"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39261\/revisions\/39275"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39273"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39261"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39261"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39261"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}