Pune: Speaking at the inaugural session of the second national conference on media and journalism held virtually by the Pune based media college where the chief guest and prominent journalist Dr N. Ram pointed towards the loopholes in the current Indian media structure stating that the media houses must not work for agenda building and should focus on world harmony. He also stressed on a wide range of topics which needs to be set right in order to achieve the motive of peace.
The event was organised by the MIT-World Peace University, Pune where Padma Bhushan Dr N Ram was speaking on the topic of 'The role of media to promote the culture of peace in the world' along with Padma Bhushan Dr N. Ram, Padma Dr Pushpesh Pant, Padma Alok Mehta, Sanjay Baru and Shravan Garg were among the other guests of honour.
Speaking particularly about Indian media, N. Ram said that, "the people of the country need to believe that all religions are true and equal." Expressing his straight forward thoughts about the role of the media to promote the culture of peace in the world, he said that, "delivering news with a sense of responsibility is the need of the hour. I raised concerns of the media industry by indicating the global impunity index."
Earlier, in the opening part of the virtual conference, Executive President of the MIT-WPU, Rahul V. Karad emphasised on the importance of media while the founder President of the MIT-WPU Prof. Dr Vishwanath Karad enlight on the role of media stating that it is instead the duty of media to spread awareness and to educate masses. People in the media industry need passion and fire in order to achieve the goal of spreading peace in the world.
While the vice-chancellor of the university, Dr N.T.Rao raised concerns over the deliberate creation of news. He also affirmed that the university is fully committed to delivering peace in every possible way.
Dr Pushpesh Pant stressed on the moral values and ethics of journalism along with the social responsibilities of theirs. He also pointed out the fact that the relations between media houses and politicians are something which needs to be kept an eye on.
Dr Alok Mehta pointed towards the immense importance of regional media and its pivotal role in efforts of spreading harmony at large. Highlighting the gravity of international news, he stated that more and more correspondents need to be stationed in foreign countries. He also quoted the 'Link between media houses and politicians' as a worry as Dr Pant earlier did.
The next guest of honour Sanjay Baru affirmed that the immense capacity of the Indian media needs to be explored. Highlighting some of the facts. There is concern about the low number of correspondents in major countries across the globe. The value and the seriousness of the global happenings and how it directly as well as indirectly affects the people of the country. All these facts are essential to achieve what exactly is needed."
Concluding the conference, Shravan Garg expressed that the media needs to be credible, believable and ethical stating that it should not focus on reporting about a particular section or aspect of the society. Asserting that the creation of fake accounts on social media during the time of elections at national as well as the global level is yet another thing to worry. "If it is not ethical, then it is not journalism', he added.
Prof. Dr Anuradha Parasar welcomed the guests of honour and Prof. Dr R M Chitnis gave concluding remarks and vote of thanks.
