Attacks on Media Come Under Close Scrutiny at Media Summit

Senior journalists and media students will be discussing recent attacks on the media at a media summit, organized by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC), Apeejay Stya University, in Sohna- Gurgaon from 8-13 February 2016.

A panel consisting of Mr Paranjoy Guha
Thakurta, Editor, Economic and Political Weekly, Seema Chishti, Deputy Editor, The Indian Express, Mr Vipul Mudgal, Director, Common Cause, would discuss why is Indian media on trial? Media is often under attack these days – forpartisan reporting, biased coverage. Does the media tend to hide more than reveal?

In another session, Mr Jawhar Sircar, CEO, Prasar  Bharati, would be speaking on ‘Why Don’t We Shut Down the Public Broadcaster?’  as close to 900 private TV channels, thousand of radio stations and an army of print media publications are there to inform and entertain.

Announcing the programme, Prof. Pervaiz Alam, Dean, SJMC, said: There will be debates, discussions and exhibitions on various issues concerning the media and its freedom throughout the week.

He added: In another session, Mr Amit Baruah, Managing Editor, The Hindu, would be discussing ‘Breaking News and Breakdown of News’. We all know that Media is a powerful vehicle of change. Yet, media often offers news that has little impact on society. Is the current news system faulty; what factors control or dominate choice of news? Questions such as these would form the core debate.

New Media Technology and Expansion of Radio would be discussed by Mr Tapas Sen, Chief Programme Officer, Radio Mirchi, Mr Rajesh Joshi, Editor BBC Hindi Radio in India and Mr Alok Verma, Head, I-RADIOLIVE.

“Radio is back in India but can it last in its current format’ as there is a storm brewing in the field of radio delivery platforms. Internet radio to podcasting- the radio landscape is changing.  What it means for the industry, will be analysed by the media experts,” said Prof. Alam.

The big bang explosion of media following the structural reforms in India has been a double-edged sword. While communication technology revolution has enabled it to reach the periphery and provide a voice to the voiceless through community radio, blogs, Facebook and Twitter, globalised capital monopolises and controls the media narrative to suit its agendas. The shrinking state meanwhile displays ineptitude than aptitude in its mediatory role.

It is paramount for the media professionals to not only enjoy the fruits of our successes but also reflect upon the challenges we face in our discovery road to truth.ApeejayStya University’s Annual Media Festival: Celebration and Reflection, organised by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, is one such occasion. The six-days festival will include talks, panel discussions, quizzes and performances and bring together some of the country’s leading journalists and media persons. A first of its kind, the festival is a beginning to create a platform to celebrate the power and glory of the media and ponder over the challenges that lie ahead for a free and fair media.