National Media Conference,09, Day 2, session 2

Noopur Bapna, Divyaraj Brahmbhatt and Manjiree Gohad, students of Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, reporting live from Mount Abu.

For more information on the conference see-

http://prpoint.blogspot.com/2009/09/national-media-conference-09-day-2.html
http://prpoint.blogspot.com/2009/09/national-media-conference09-day-1.html
http://prpoint.blogspot.com/2009/09/national-media-conference09-inaugural.html
http://prpoint.blogspot.com/2009/09/national-media-conference09-mr-ashok.html
http://prpoint.blogspot.com/2009/09/national-media-conference09day-1.html




Self Regulation in Media- Role of Spirituality.

Participants in this discussion are
Mr. Om Gupta, Prof. & Dean, Centre for Media Studies Academy, Delhi
Prof. K.C. Mouli, Faculty, PR & Advertising, MLNC University of Journalism, Bhopal
Mr. Akshay Kumar, Former Director, PR, in PM Office, Delhi
B.K. Aasapi, National coordinator, Media wing, Mumbai
Jai Krishna Gaur, Chief Editor, Swadesh Hindi Daily, Bhopal
Prof. Ananya Mehta, Faculty, Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication
Mr. K.d. Chadola, President, Association of Small & Medium Newspapers of India, Kanpur
Mr. Santosh Bhartiya, Ex MP, Chief Editor, Chauthi Duniya, Delhi

Q.1. to Prof. Ananya Mehta-
Today the media is said to be deteriorating in values and ethics, still there are no courses which instill values in media aspirants, why?

A. Quotes," Media professionals should have licenses like medical and law professionals."
Today the media is giving out news which will create biases and negative opinions. There should be ethics. If the media wants to enjoy the position of the fourth administrator then it needs to check itself. We take a lot of things from the west, but the west has taken values from us and they need to be retained by the Indian Media.

Q.2. to Prof.K.C. Mouli
While reporting how much can a reporter excersise self-regulation?
Can he succeed?

A. If a reporter can understand his responsibilities by himself he can regulate himself completely. Facts are sacred they must be presented neutrally. Facts cannot be twisted. A reporter must keep in mind that anything he reports has an effect on the society. Thus the reporting should not take place to increase the circulation of the paper or TRPs of the channel but for social good, he will succeed completely.

Q.3. to Mr.Jai Krishna Gaur
What is the importance of words in journalism?

A. Wars were fought because of words. Words create problems. Mahabharat occurred because Draupadi insulted Duryodhan, by calling him 'Son of the blind'. Truth should be presented sensitively, so that the society does not infer wrong meanings and create disharmony. Words have to be used with care and awareness.

Q.4. to Mr.Santosh Bhartiya
What kind of Information comes in front of you in context to news, how do you decide which news to publish?

A. There are different aspects of news reporting, reporting about cinema,etc does not mean the reporter is not a reporter in the true sense. While reporting I follow one rule to try to find out the truth and see what are the origins of the news. Then we see whom is the news affecting.

Q.5. to Mr.Om Gupta
Literature is the mirror of the society, but does this mirror show the truth or what the society wants to see?
What kind of effects were you able to see?

A. We must accept one truth that media, today, is a business. Many researches take place, however the research that takes place on a large scale is, 'How is the media affiliated to the market?' Media wants reach its buyers not its audience. Media is a product, where you expect profit. In this research we try to find out wat will motivate buyers to consume the media.

To improve this condition we study the media and its relation with society. Pro-active media helps the cause, they counter the negative effects of the mainstream media.

Q.6. Sister Niranjana
How can Rajyoga be incorporated in media?

A.The media is doing its job to some extent. However to exercise self-regulation reporters must know themselves from within, their goal must be clear, this can happen with the help of Rajyoga.

Q.7. to Mr. K.C. Mouli
Reporters have to work in dangerous situations, in such a scenario how can they exercise self-regulation?

Many professions are hazardous, that doesn't mean the people from that profession lose self-regulation. You are in this field by choice, no one has invited you to be a journalist. After joining the profession if you are afraid of the dangers then you have no option but leave the profession.

Q.8. to Mr. Santosh Bhartiya
Media is not able to regulate itself because advertisers rule the journalism, how can you regulate yourself in such a condition?

A. It is not true that advertisers control the news. They might take up space in the newspapers, but no one will say that you cannot publish some kind of news, or that we will give ads only if you publish this kind of news. All that ad people care is about the circulation or TRPs, so ads cannot be used as an excuse to publish negative or biased news.

However, Mr. Mouli differs with this opinion, he feels newspapers have to come out of the influence of the advertisers in order to report fairly.

Q.9. to Mr. Om Gupta
Every day a new newspaper is launched, there is no regulation on who can launch a newspaper, why is that so?
How much is technology helping reporting?

Its unfortunate that to start a newspaper you do not require Government permission. However, if not control there should be some kind of regulatory policies.
There was a time when it took days to spread news, today via e-mails we can send news within minutes. Thus, technology is a boon. However, content is more important than technology, technology is a mere vehicle.

Q.10.to Mr. Ananya Mehata
How can channels stop broadcasting shows that encourage violence?

Channels must realise they are alive as long as there are viewers. They must learn to respect sensibilities of the society. To bring about this change, we require regulation, at-least till the time channels realise their duties, to stop such programmes.

Q.11. to Mr. K.D. Chandola
Why are snippets like horoscope, etc.incorporated in news?

A. Such columns are present for entertainment. They may remain but should not be given importance as they are not giving any message.