The discussion was a part of the three-day Dakshinayan Abhiyan national conference held at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.
The panelists questioned the current idea of democracy in India. “How can we call this a democracy? We vote every five years and then do nothing. All citizens must actively participate in the democratic processes to make a democracy successful,” said Nikhil Wagle.
“A system where one’s patriotism is questioned if he/she asks questions about what is happening in this country can’t be called democracy,” they opined. The three panelists discussed the difficulties the media faces to report freely.
“The media today is controlled by the owner/proprietor of the media houses, advertisers and the politicians. We are asked to report what is ‘of’ public interest instead of what is ‘in’ public interest” stated Sagarika Ghose.
The panelists spoke of the challenges the media faces in reporting something that goes against the interest of those in power.
“A systematic campaign IS led to discredit us. Threats are given, cases are filed against us, we are called ‘presstitutes’ only for asking questions” said Sagarika Ghose. She also appealed to the people to question what they see or read in the news, saying “Media today is more often than not full of manufactured propaganda.”
Hitting out at Prime Minister Narandera Modi, Prakash Shah said, “Our PM is known not for dialogue but for monologue.” While Nikhil Wagle said, “Our PM is the only politician who has effectively manipulated the media.” He also pointed out how the Right Wing has effectively used social media to propagate their agenda.
“Media cannot be neutral. We have to side with the truth. We will have to find new ways, adapt to new technologies and adopt new methods to fight our battles,” appealed Nikhil Wagle.
“We will have to introspect and look within ourselves and find courage. We will have to use art and innovation to capture the imagination of the public,” said Sagarika Ghose. The panelists appealed to the people to be courageous and never stop asking questions.
