On the eve of Gandhi Jayanti, La Politique-The Department of Political Science, Kirori Mal College, organized its first event for the academic session 2020-21, which was an online discussion on "Is Media Functioning as the Fourth Pillar of Democracy?" Mr. Ramesh Menon, a renowned journalist and recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka award for excellence in journalism, was invited as the guest speaker for the discussion.
The webinar was moderated by Dr. Roopinder Oberoi, Staff Advisor, Department of Political Science, Kirori Mal College. Dr. Oberoi began by introducing our esteemed guest and briefed the audience by highlighting the fact how ‘Post-truth’ has become prevalent in various countries and during recent times in what ways the values of media ethics have been compromised and hard-facts suppressed. Thereafter she invited Mr. Ramesh Menon and urged him to throw light on the need of a free-spirited and an independent media.
Mr. Menon began by sharing his experience of how the media earlier functioned as a watchdog of democracy and the way it has gradually transformed into a state-controlled machinery, has severely jeopardised the ethics of journalism. He elaborated on how the media trial, sensational and aggressive forms of journalism have ruined the state of media in the nation. He also called attention to the importance of a public-funded media in times where many media outlets are controlled or financed by corporates, Mr Menon advocated the role of the media as a ‘mirror of society’ and insisted the need for them to be independent, objective and unbiased. He underlined the importance of youth in reforming the system since it is them who need to have a critical approach and question the steps taken by the government.
The webinar was attended by over 90 students who participated proactively and had a positive feedback. A question-answer round was also done in which Mr. Ramesh Menon answered the questions put forward by the attendees. The event was highly successful owing to its relevance in the contemporary scenario. At the end, the President of the Department, Miss Pankhuri Jain extended a vote of thanks to Mr. Menon for gracing the event and enlightening the students with the importance of journalism ethics and the role of the media in elevating the voice of people. La Politique hopes to conduct more such informative events in the near future again.
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