Seminar on ‘Safety and Dignity of Women: Role of Media'

The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication organised a seminar on the topic of "Safety and Dignity of Women: Role of Media" on January 13, 2016 at ISIM Auditorium.

The Chief Speaker for the session were Ms. Mamata Sharma, Chairperson, National Women’s Commission, New Delhi, and Mr. Sanjeev Shrivastava, CEO, Focus News, New Delhi. The students were acquainted by the role of media in ensuring the safety and dignity of Women.

Building egalitarian societies is one of the priorities of modern democratic states. Mass media play a unique and important role in the shaping of a society where men and women enjoy equal rights. Raising women’s legal awareness is important for the creation of an egalitarian society. This is reached through several means, including psychological, social, economic, philosophical, awareness of human rights, political and so on. The role of media is important for being successful in all the mentioned spheres. The media can promote and speed up the reforms in progress, or, on the contrary, it can hamper their implementation. Both the speakers shared their views and experiences regarding the issue and students get to know a new thought regarding the issue.

Both of them stressed on role media plays in bringing safety and dignity to women. Ms. Mamata said that it’s important to look at the way reporting is done for rape cases, domestic violence, molestation and other sensitive issues. She said it is important to check the language and use of words taken in reporting these issues. She also said that refrain from presenting the facts which are derogatory to a woman’s reputation.

Mr. Srivatava said that it is essential for media to cover stories which are empowering for women. To present stories which challenge society’s rudimentary thoughts and orthodox practices. Media has to present more stories of women’s success and even more stories which portray the challenges they face, so that we can build an environment safe and honorable for both the genders. We build a world where no one is let down due to gender they fall in.