Post News Network
BHUBANESWAR: The fourth edition of the Annual media conclave
communiqué-17 at the XIMB auditorium here Sunday occasioned a review
of the inherent contradictions between the media and issues of
privacy, covering the fields of print and digital media as also the
entertainment industry .
The function was graced by, among others, Jawhar Sircar, former CEO of
Prasar Bharati, Sumrit Shahi, novelist and script/screen play writer,
and Aditya Maheswaran, a rated champion of public speaking, among
others.
At the outset, city journalist Dilip Satpathy explained how the media
can play a vital role in helping unravel the sensational issues behind
the Arushi murder case and the corporate PR executive Niira Radia’s
dealings with the high and mighty in the national capital. He also
noted how a tabloid had to be shut down as a photographer took a
picture of Steffi Graph in her private moments without first seeking
her permission. “Privacy is a fundamental right, but not an absolute
one. Among the war between Right to Privacy and Right to Information,
the Right to Information will have the upper hand,” he argued.
Jawhar Sircar said a line should be drawn on what could be published
and what should remain private. Said he, “Under Article 21, privacy is
a fundamental right and nobody should interfere with it. However, in
matters where the interests of the nation are supreme, privacy can be
compromised.
Ayesha Shroff and Sumrit Shahi stressed on the lines to be drawn
between privacy and media; and aspects like “how much the media can
tread into individual privacy should be monitored by a panel.”
However, Tedx speaker Aditya Maheswaran felt that there was an
inherent mismatch between the media’s functioning and issues of
privacy. Media, he said, “plays a major role in the functioning of any
democracy.” He also posed the question whether any individual who
feels his privacy is being violated should know that whatever he or
she presents to the media should be taken from one or other individual
with their own consent, rather than intruding into their privacy.
The dignitaries were felicitated by the XIMB. What followed was a
lively interaction between students and the guest speakers. The
conclave ended on a note that the media will be here to stay whether
one likes it or not. “One has to live with this reality.”
Dr. Sasmit Patra, associate professor of Organizational Behavior (XUB)
served as the moderator for the discussions. EOM