Skip to content Skip to navigation

Media should not miss missionary character

By editor |


More and more media houses may be driven by the business interest, but at the end of the day the media should not miss its missionary character. More over, the media house owners should not engage the media space only for its profit sacrificing the media’s immense social responsibilities, commented His Excellency Bharat Vir Wanchoo, Governor of Goa. Inaugurating the 9th Annual South Asia Media Summit 2012 at The International Centre Goa, Dona Paula- Goa today morning the Governor also added that irrespective of increasing challenges, the media should continue its presence in the society as a watch dog and conscience keeper.


Organised by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) India in association with The International Centre Goa (ICG) and Media Information and Communication Centre of India (MICCI) on October 14-16, 2012, the summit has been attended by senior media professionals from different countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar with India.


The inaugural session of the summit titled ‘Government Curbing Media? Regulation vs Self-regulation of Media in South Asia’ was addressed by Henrik Maihack (FES-India), Rajeshwar Dyal (Senior Media Advisor, FES- India), Pratapsingh Rane (Leader of Opposition, Goa Legislative Assembly and President, The International Centre Goa) and Collin Curry (Trustee, MICCI & ICG).


“Market-driven media tends to sensationalise news. The role of media as watchdog of society has in recent times been transgressed to create misconceptions in the minds of its target group. Media is also blamed for blurring the line between news and advertisements, that is, of doling out news for which they have been paid by interested parties, said Ms Nandini Sahai, Director of The International Centre Goa.


She also added, “People now seem to be fast losing faith in the media. This trend is common in the media of the region. Governments also accuse media practitioners of indulging in sensationalisation of news which results in hostility between neighbouring countries. With the onset of New Media, with its Twitter and Blogs characteristics, there is absolutely no control on news becoming gossip and slander.”


Add new comment

Random Stories

Wildlife training in Kaziranga

8 Apr 2013 - 9:43am | AT News
National Tiger Conservation Authority is organising a training programme at KNP on April 20 on the subject of investigation and forensic in wildlife offences. The government asked for such a session...

Narayana doctors to conduct evening OPD at press club

17 Sep 2016 - 8:35am | AT News
Physicians from north Guwahati based Narayana Super-Specialty Hospital will conduct the next ‘Evening with a Doctor’ program at Guwahati Press Club (GPC) on 24 September 2016. The evening OPD on 17...

Homecoming: AGP sets up panel on unification bid

10 Apr 2008 - 3:19pm | editor
After years of will-thy-won’t-they, the Asom Gana Parishad has finally stepped into the reunification corridor. In its crucial session concluded on Wednesday night, the party top guns have...

Ram Madhav visits Raha

3 Apr 2016 - 3:37pm | Dibya J Borthakur
Ram Madhav, National General Secretary, BJP and Ajay Jamwal, General Secretary, BJP  for NE states today visited Raha to take stock of the security scene ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's...

Other Contents by Author

Editorial Guidelines

Assam Times recommends its contributors/citizen journalists the following resources:   BBC News Styleguide   Avoid clichés and improve your journalism with this PDF version of the BBC News Styleguide. The Guide gives practical suggestions on many aspects of journalism style, including abbreviations, clichés, reported speech - and how to avoid irritating your editor. https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsstyleguide   The BBC Editorial Guidelines The BBC Editorial Guidelines outline the standards the BBC expects of all BBC content on TV, radio and online. They are designed for everyone who makes content for the BBC, to help them deal with difficult editorial...

Bizarre killing rocks Koliabor

In a bizarre incident on the new year’s day, a woman and her two children were hacked to death allegedly by her teenaged stepson on Tuesday in Koliabar of Nagaon district. Identified as Mohamad Ali hacked to death his step mother a sharp weapon after an argument at Kunduli village. He then attacked her minor daughter and son killing them on the spot. According to the neighbour, Mohamad and his step mother would often fight after his father married her and shifted to another house following the death of his mother. The deceased have been identified as Phulbano Khatun, Nazia Khatun and Rabiul Hussain. Ali was absconding.

Gogoi worried over Maoist menace

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday said that Maoists is a big menace and that measures are on to tackle it. Talking to reporters in Guwahati, Gogoi said that militancy was on the wane but Maoists are causing a big problem. He said that the matter had been taken up with the Centre which was convinced of the seriousness of the threat.

Mass Jogging program held at Guwahati

A Mass Jogging program was held on December 31, 2012 under the auspices of Assam Jogging Association (AJA) to welcome the New Year 2013. Mahadeb Deka noted body builder of international fame has flagged off the march at 6-45 AM from Janata Bhawan Play Ground, Dispur, Guwahati. The m march return from Zoo Road Tiniali and completed 7 kilometer round. A meeting was held after the Mass Jogging at the Janata Bhawan Play ground which was presided over by the President of the Association Geetartha Pathak.The Association felicitated Mahdeb Deka. Deka appealed to the younger generation to be fit by doing physical exercise and jogging. Deka also asked them not to resort to the extravaganza in the...

Dumper catches fire in Demow

A 24 year old youth had a narrow escape when his vehicle caught fire at Demow in Sivasagar district on Monday.The incident took place early in the morning when his dumper touched a high voltage electric wire. The driver managed to escape death but he was injured. He was rushed to the hospital. 

error404

Sorry, the requested page is not found.Here are few links to get back on track:HomepageAbout Us Search pageContact Us

Free Health Camp at Pamohi

A free fealth check-up and awareness camp was held December 30 at Parijat Academy, Pamohi, Guwahati. A team of about ten doctors comprising Dr Amiya Kumar Sarma, Heart Specialist and CMO of Guwahati Refinery Hospital, Dr Khaklary, Adnl Medical Officer of Guwahati Refinery and about ten Paramedical staff attended the camp. The camp helped the local people by providing free treatment of blood sugar (diabetes), gaestro problems, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases etc. Free dlood sugar tests, blood pressure measurement, etc. of the patients were done along with free medicines to the patients. Around hundred people attended the camp.The camp was organised by People’s Friend Foundation in...

Preparations on for farewell 2012

Assam is gearing up to bid goodbye to 2012 and to welcome 2013. Guwahati wears a fresh look to dazzle in the evening. But bars and hotels in the city will have to close the functions by 12.30 AM on New Year's eve. On the other hand, the bars, hotels and restaurants must have special permission to stay open after 10 PM on Monday. Meanwhile, the Kamrup (Metro) district administration has made installation of close circuit television cameras in bars, pubs, discotheques, clubs and all the celebration venues a must for the New Year. The CCTVs must be installed at the gates, galleries and main halls of hotels, bars and restaurants where functions will be held and liquor served.

One arrested in Bordumsa case

Police picked up a tea garden worker in connection with the Konapathar case where the owner of the tea estate and his wife were charred to death. DGP JN Chaudhury, who visited Tinsukia on Sunday said that a few more accused would be picked up within a day or two. According to information, nine workers have been accused and eight others would be arrested. The identity of the apprehended suspect has not been divulged so that the process is not hampered.

Protesters demand change in laws

Amid mounting protest over repeated rapes and molestations, protestors in Guwahati on Sunday vowed to put the government under pressure to change the laws to punish the rapists and molesters. SUCI, Aam Aadmi Party, Marwari Yuva Manch activists staged protests in different parts of the city since Sunday morning. The activists demanded the Centre take urgent steps to amend the laws of the country to curb atrocities on women. Members of the AAP took out a candlelight procession on the banks of Dighalipukhuri in the heart of the city in the evening. AAP leaders said that all pending rape cases in the courts should be tried in fast-track courts and a special session of Parliament...