Media Self Regulation: Best Way Forward

Minister for Information & Broadcasting Shri Manish Tewari has said that while self-regulation was the best way forward, as a process it had to broad based and balanced. In view of the changes taking place in the media space, it had to grow within the overarching statutory architecture existing in the country. This issue would occupy the centre-stage of discussion and the national discourse would have to introspect on the critical issues from time to time. The Minister stated this while delivering the Convocation address at the 45th Convocation Ceremony of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) here today. 

Elaborating further, Shri Tewari said that the media landscape had undergone a strategic shift in the manner in which information was now disseminated through different tools including the new media. The change was also visible in the manner in which the information was absorbed by the recipients through technology enabled tools. The challenge before young aspiring journalists especially those who were entering in the professional media domain was to innovate and incubate ideas so as to match the contemporary trends. In view of the growth potential of the media and entertainment sector, the Minister called upon the graduating students to harness the skills of being potential entrepreneurs also. This aspirational move would enable young minds to look beyond the traditional career growth paths and tap the growth potential of this sector. 

Referring to IIMC, Shri Tewari, said that while the Government was in the process of finalizing a proposal to grant the status of “Institute of National Importance” to IIMC with Degree granting powers, IIMC had to strive to become “the Golden Mean for Journalism and Journalistic Training”. This would not only enhance its potential but carve out a niche within the professional bodies and Institutions across the world. He called upon the Institute to reach out to the Alumni of the Institute to realize this vision. 

Shri Tewari also called upon the graduating students to be aware of the key attributes that determined the frontiers of new era of journalism. He referred to the magnitude of media space, the technological changes taking place, the role and relevance of ethics in the functioning of media, individual role of young aspiring journalists and the debate regarding the need and necessity of self-regulation. 286 students were conferred with the Diploma at the Convocation today for courses offered in Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations at the four centres of the Institute i.e. New Delhi, Dhenkanal, Aizawl and Amravati.