Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 17: The J&K Regional Branch of Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) organized the 7th Sat Paul Sahni Memorial Lecture on “Proliferating Media: Challenges of Ethics & Accountability” today.
K B Jandial, Former Member, J&K PSC, delivered the key note. The lecture was attended by eminent citizens of the State including Dr S S Bloeria, Dr Ashok Bhan, Patron, IIPA, members of IIPA, media fraternity, and civil society.
K B Jandial in his presentation reflected on the changing contours of the media while discussing the role of the fourth estate. He pointed out that despite the growth of the e-media, the traditional print media has not only survived but has also thrived due to the advancement in technology. While discussing the growth of press in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, he mentioned that although the press has proliferated, its role has undergone tremendous transformation over the years. Specifically mentioning Gandhi Journalism, he pointed out that Gandhiji considered media as a means of serving the nation and not as a means of profit making. Through his presentation, he brought to light the need for ‘Ethics in journalism’.
Dr S S Bloeria, Former Vice Chancellor, Central University of Jammu, in his address remembered his long association with Sati Sahni. While talking about Satiji’s personality, he said that his qualities of punctuality, honesty and perfectionism have rubbed off on all those that he came in touch with.
B R Sharma, Chief Secretary and Chairman, IIPA J&K Regional Branch, while specking on the occasion fondly remembered Sati Sahni and reiterated that the benchmarks for the media need to be raised since the society needs media but without its shortcomings.
Dr Ashok Bhan, Patron IIPA J&K Regional Branch, while paying tributes to Satiji, as he is fondly remembered, said that media should be in the service of the citizens and like the purchasibility of justice, purchasibility of media should not become the norm.
Chander Gulati while paying rich tributes to Late Sat Paul Sahni said that he was a perfectionist and an institution in itself. He said that Sahni was a multi-dimensional personality having the privilege of covering all the four war of India and Pakistan. He said that Sahni was having an eye for detail and would capture instances that are now part of rare collection.
Earlier Dr Komal Nagar, Joint Director (Seminars) formally welcomed the august gathering and conducted the proceedings of the function. Er J B S Johar, Hony Secretary coordinated and overlooked the entire organizing of the event while S K Gupta presented the formal vote of thanks.