Sanket Communications, UNFPA organise Workshop for Young Journalists in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Dec 14: A sensitization workshop was organized for Young Media Professionals on “Emerging concerns of today’s youth and gender sensitive reporting” at Bhubaneswar by Sanket Communications Pvt. Ltd. in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund(UNFPA). More than 60 budding journalists and faculty from several institutions of journalism and media studies participated in the workshop.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Dr. Deepa Prasad, State Programme Coordinator of (UNFPA) mentioned that media plays an important role in the process of development and social transformation of the society. As media professionals one need to be fully informed about the development context of the state and should be able to stimulate the thinking of young minds through media.

This should influence the youth to contribute positively as creators, builders and leaders of the society. Dr. Deepa also spoke of media’s crucial role in instilling gender sensitivity in the minds of the viewer or reader and in upholding dignity of women through media.

Mr. Sampad Mahapatra, Editor of Odia daily Nitidin and former correspondent with NDTV emphasized the need for journalists to have a basic understanding of the development context of the state and the country and be ethical and responsible in the stories covered.  Journalism should not be constructive but facilitate the public to be reflective.

Mr. Gourahari Das, Editor (Feature) Sambad and Katha, said that reporting should be balanced and the dictum do no harm that applies to the medical professionals should also hold good for journalism. He said there is a need to analyze each story on its repercussions and impact on the minds of people, particularly women and girls, and cited examples from recent news reports.

Popular news anchor Ms. Itishree Nayak, from MBC discussed about gender sensitivity in journalism and said how gender sensitivity must be practiced in a much larger context including at home, the work place and the way one deals with colleagues. Media has taken a very important space even within ones family and the discussions and behaviors within families are highly influenced by media messages. As we are conditioned in a certain way in the society, efforts have to be made by media to change the stereotypical mindsets, and consider dignity of women in all media forms including the way women are portrayed, she said.

Shri. Shubhashish Tripathy, MD, Sanket Communications expressing pleasure for organizing such a first of its kind workshop for the budding journalists of Odisha, delivered formal vote of thanks to all the participants and esteemed speakers on the occasion.

The speakers discussed that India having the largest population of young people is an opportunity for the growth of the country, if young minds are engaged constructively for the development of the nation. The growth and reach of media has been exponential over the recent past and media is able to significantly influence attitude, behavior and thinking of young minds. Media is a powerful resource that needs to be vigorously engaged in this journey by the state. Gender sensitivity, use of facts and figures, accuracy, fairness and accountability in reporting are signs of professionalism that young journalists should uphold in order to pursue a career of responsible journalists, were the themes of discussion at the workshop.

Various sessions were held on the occasion over topics like ‘Gender Sensitive Reporting – Overview and Coverage Status’, ‘Emerging Concerns of Today’s Youth’ and ‘Gender Sensitive Reporting – Overview and Standard Protocol’. Former Registrar of Utkal University and eminent political analysts Prof. Dr. S N Mishra, Shri B N Adhikari, Dy. Director(M&C), PIB, Shri Kumar Manish, State Programme Officer, UNFPA graced the sessions and spoke over various aspects and subjects on the issue. Students from 11 leading J-Schools of Odisha attended the workshop on Sunday.