Journalism is a responsibility, not a tool to mislead people: Prakash Javadekar

Indian Institute of Mass Communication, one of the premier institute of India imparting education to the country’s future media professionals organised its orientation programme to welcome the new batch for the academic year 2020-2021. 

Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Government of India, graced the first day of the virtual orientation with his presence as the chief guest. In his address to the students, Javadker congratulated the institute for starting the new academic year in these uncertain circumstances through the digital media. He said, “I hope that the pandemic ends soon and the students are able to return back to the classrooms as the practical training is an important part of the education system.” 

Javadekar said journalism is a responsibility, not a tool to mislead people. “There is no need for any drama or sensation if your story is based on facts. There are plenty of constructive stories in society, but sadly nobody in the media has time to publish them,” he added. 

He further advised the media students not to be trapped in sensational or TRP-centric journalism and imbibe the skills of healthy journalism ensuring that anything good happening in society should also become news.

Director General of IIMC, Prof. Sanjay Dwivedi later interacted with the students and said that nothing is dear to a teacher than his/her students. Only the success of students is the success of teachers, institute, and managers. “All our efforts at IIMC aim at ensuring high-quality education and training to our students. Our objective is not merely to produce journalists; we want to produce global leaders who lead the world of journalism and mass communication in the coming decade.”

Dr Surbhi Dahiya was the moderator for the first day of orientation. The faculty also introduced themselves and welcomed the students. 

Later in the day, a special address on the theme ‘Indian Media 2021’ by Dr Annurag Batra, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, BW Businessworld and exchange4media group took place. He introduced the students with various aspects of the media by giving examples from his entrepreneurial journey. He said that polarisation of media is a trend that future media professionals should be careful from. “Media needs to articulate both sides of the view. Media is in the business of running newsrooms and not courtrooms. Indian news channels have become shriller these days which is not a good trend. But I surely believe that there will be an equilibrium that will come back.”

Speaking about the future of media, Dr Batra, said that the role of technology and machines in media will grow. He advised the students to develop a consistent reading habit if they want to make it big in the media industry. “Start reading, writing and having a point of view. Try to explore the area which interests you and over a period of time you can become a domain expert. Journalism can be more in-depth as sometimes there are more quickly pronounced judgements without correct background to them,” he added.

According to Dr. Batra the year 2021 and 2022 are about three V’s- Video, Voice, and Vernacular. All these three will have a big role to play in how media pans out in the future.

Concluding the session he shared his golden rules to excel in life with the students. “Firstly, if you can dream it you can achieve it, second- take responsibility for what happens to you, third- Doing good to others and building relationships goes a long way, fourth- making an attempt to achieve your goals is an absolute essential and last respecting your elders helps you to become a better person.”