Prof Shashi Shekhar Singh, Department of Political Science, University of Delhi and others during the inaugural programme of two-day international conference on March 27.
Lumami, March 27 (MExN): Two-day international conference on ‘Media, Populism and Democracy’ got underway at Nagaland University on March 27. It was organised by the Department of Political Science in association with Centre for Southeast Asian Studies, NU.
Addressing the inaugural programme, Prof Shashi Shekhar Singh, Department of Political Science, University of Delhi, in his keynote address dwelt at length on the theme of ‘Media, Populism and Democracy.’
An update received here said, the Professor observed that democracy is a system of government, and populism is a political approach that involves addressing the people directly, the role of media is critical. He classified media into three categories: state controlled, corporate media, and people controlled. “Whereas majority of the countries have media that is corporate-controlled, there is also the case of the nexus between the state and the corporate,” he pointed out. As democracies need informed citizens, who periodically decide on whom to vote for, he said, it is essential for the media to carry out the duty of extracting the truth and bring them to the people.
Misinformation, he said, poses problem for democracy and is a recipe for distortion of the democratic process. He made his points by alluding to the historical context as well as the present situation.
NU Vice-Chancellor Prof Jagadish K Patnaik, speaking as the chief guest discussed the evolution of the media and its effects on society. He asserted that good civil society, good political leaders, and good and independent media are required for democracy to thrive.
Chaired by Prof John H Sema, Department of Political Science, the welcome address was delivered by Dr Shasanka Sekhar Pati, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science. Dr G Chandra Sekaran, Assistant Professor in Centre for South East Asian Studies, NU, concluded the session with a vote of thanks. The programme attended by Deans, Heads, Officers, Staff, research scholars, and PG students was compered by Dr Neizhanuo Golmei, Asst Professor, Department of Political Science.
