Media Accountability

Chandigarh chapter of PRSI organised a seminar on 'Media Accountability' on 13th March. The prominent panelists included former editor of Panjabi Tribune, Mr. S.S. Bhullar, advisor to Dainik Bhaskar Mr. V.P. Prabhakar, author and former chairman of the department of mass communication Prof. H.S. Dilgir, a senior journalist from Canada Mr. N.S. Shergill, current chairman of the department of mass communication, Panjab University, Mr. Jayant Pethkar.

The seminar was a result of a recent developments on the vernacular media scene in Punjab during the Punjab Assembly elections held during February. The media had vyed with one another to corner the maximum mullah from the political candidates in the fray not only to publish their advertisement, but also the paid-for 'news', the later being the area of concern for the journalists.

Mr. Bhullar lamented the practice of publishing the 'doctored news' on payment basis with many of them going under print without the statutory disclosure that it was an 'advertisement' or 'advertorial'. He said that the Fourth Estate was the only redeeming factor in the general corruption prevailing in other three 'Estates', which ruefully has also become saleable just like any other commodity.

Mr. Prabhakar said that the media has to be accountable and must work for the social good and vehemently expressed the growing interference of commercial or business side of the newspaper into the editorial arena. He also condemned the advertisements issued by various political parties that were not only aggressive but in bad taste, which need to be refused by the media for which media itself must setup its own code of ethical and moral practices.

Prof. Dilgir felt that for any journalist truth is the only defence and anyone digressing from the facts, accuracy and truth, is digging his own grave. He called upon the journalists to restrain themselves from getting too selfish and materialistic that is taking them away from professional conduct towards corrupt practices.

The panelists and the participants felt that not all was lost since the situation in developed countries like US is also much worst, but freedom must come with a level of responsibility which the mediamen themselves can control and manage to save itself from its degradation.

It was also felt that Press Council of India must be given more teeth so that the erring newspapers and channels can be put to task.

A memorandum in this regard is being sent to various stakeholders, the journalists associations, as well as the PCI for their information and taking up corrective action.

Right to Information Act

We have been hearing a lot on the Rights to Information Act for long, and as it stabilises there had been many hiccups in its implementation...and even now, many have several issues on mind.

To get an update on the Act, the city shall have one of the most prominent contributors to the formation of this Act, Mr. Shekhar Singh, who is the founder member of the National Campaign for the People's Right to Information.

Shekhar Singh has taught at St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, at the North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong and at the Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi. He is currently Director of the Centre for Equity Studies, New Delhi and has worked with the Government of India and has been Advisor to the Planning Commission of India. He has also been associated with various non-government organisations and popular movements. He is a founding member of the National Campaign for the People’s Right to Information (NCPRI), a governor of the International Development Research Centre, Canada, and co-chair of the task force on transparency, a part of the Initiative on Policy Dialogue (IPD) of the University of
Columbia. He has authored and co-authored various books.

He will be in Chandigarh on the request of Asian Education Society on 21st March 2007 to address the Seminar at CRRID, at 11am. Mr. Rajan Kashyap, Chief Information Commissioner, Panjab, shall preside over the meeting.

You are most cordially invited.

Scholarship in Journalism

To encourage pursuit of studies in journalism and allied subjects, Rotary News Trust has instituted a scholarship for those eligible candidates in the age group of 20-30 years, who, after graduation, seeks admission in a recognised University imparting education in journalism.

The scholarship equivalent to one year's fee shall be provided on the basis of the selection by the Rotary International District 3080. There is only one scholarship available. The last date for sending in the application to the Rotary Club near you is before 30th April. Only those candidates who have applied for admission and have been selected, shall be eligible for applying for this scholarship.

For further information you can contact me, Rtn. C.J. Singh, District Coordinator for Journalism Scholarship, Rotary International District 3080. info@corepr.com / seejaysingh@gmail.com

PRSI New Website

The National Council of Public Relations Society of India has come up with its own website, www.prsi.co.in. Well the PRSI members can get the latest information about National Council activities from the website. Though many of its pages are under construction, it is hoped that it would fulfil the much felt need of the Society. Congratulations to Dr. Ajit Pathak.

PRSI National Council Meeting

The next National Council meeting of the Public Relations Society of India is scheduled on Saturday 17th March 2007 at Goa.

The meeting shall start at 3pm in the Goa Chamber of Commerce, Panjim.

PR Challenges to Outshine Brand & Business

Goa Chapter of PRSI is organising a one-day workshop on "PR Challenges to Outshine Brand & Businesses" on Sunday, 18th March 2007 at the Goa Chamber of Commerce.
For further details please get in touch with Mr. Rajesh Parida : rajeshparida@goashipyard.com, or call him on 098239 20469.