2-day conclave to mark the World Press Freedom Day on May 3
Bhubaneswar (OdishaLIVE Bureau): A two day National Media Conclave is taking off at Bhubaneswar on 3rd May 2017 involving media practitioners, academia, policy makers, bureaucrats, researchers and students.
Organised by Institute of Media Studies (IMS) with support from OdishaLIVE as knowledge partner the conclave aims to commemorate with World Press Freedom Day, observed internationally.
The conclave is all set to discuss the explosion of traditional and new media impacting today’s society. Theme of the conclave ‘Media and Social Responsibility’ has been inspired from UNESCO’s theme of World Press Freedom Day 2017.
Apart from discussions on the core subject at the inaugural and valedictory ceremonies, the event is going to have deliberations on a broad spectrum of ideas and stakeholders covering subthemes like Media & Governance; Media, Social Harmony & Identity Politics; Dissent, Protest & Media; National Integrity: Issues & Narratives in Media; Privacy & People’s Right to Know; Citizen Journalism; Social Media & Digital Impact and Media Ethics & Practices – Changing Global Scenario.
The inaugural session will be graced by the chief guest Prof. B P Sanjay, Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Hyderabad along with Sevanti Ninan, Editor The Hoot, Santosh Bhartiya, Journalist, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder KIIT & KISS and Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, Editor Sambad.
Similarly, the Plenary and technical sessions in the two day conference will have heavyweight speakers from the domains of communication like Prof. DVR Murthy (Andhra University), Dr. Ravindran Gopalan (Madras University), Dr. Sisir Basu (Banaras Hindu University), Dr. Sunil Kanta Behera (Tezpur Central University), Dr. Mrinal Chatterjee (IIMC Dhenkanal), Snehasis Sur, (Veteran TV journalist), Ramendra Kumar (Rourkela Steel Plant), Sampad Mahapatra (Nitidin), Sashiprava Bindhani (State Information Commissioner), Odisha and Nishikant Mishra (Team Admark).
“The role of media in recent times has been a subject of livid debate and criticism. Often regarded as the fourth pillar of Democracy, the role of media cannot be wholly overlooked. Ideally the media is supposed to be socially responsible apart from discharging its regular missions and duties but the criticism has come in owing to the fact that unethical business practices have meddled in the media front and affected the framework of Indian democracy” mentioned Prof. Upendra Padhi, Convenor, National Media Conclave and the Director, IMS, Bhubaneswar.
The purpose of the conclave is to deliberate on issues as to redefine the media’s social responsibility, to address the issues relating to the boom of global mass media and its after effects, to find out ways in strengthening the freedom of press and to bring media professionals and policy makers together to discuss explosion of media in the country.
“The role of media in the present time needs to be streamlined while spreading the knowhow and technical clarity among media persons and students. We need to empower and create awareness among media teachers because they will be nurturing the media persons of tomorrow. We need to demarcate the lines between Media Ethics and Media Independence which has been blurred over time” said Nilambar Rath, Co-Convenor of National Media Conclave and the Founder Editor & CEO, OdishaLIVE. “The self regulation mechanism of the press must be made fool proof and most importantly community participation in media is a must for a country like India” he added.
The number of papers slated to be presented at the conclave is over 50. Apart from this three publications namely an Abstract, a Souvenir and Proceedings of the conclave would be released in the function.
After a successful stint in the digital media world and having presence in various platforms, OdishaLIVE network is launching a new venture www.odisha.live to explore stories that matter and make sense of news and current affairs. The portal shall be formally launched at the inaugural ceremony of National Media Conclave on 3rd May 2017.
