-PLAR in Collaboration with PR Professionals organises webinar on media & governance
-Experts discuss misinformation, ethics, and regulatory challenges in the digital era
-Speakers call for transparency, credibility, and indigenous frameworks for media assessment
New Delhi: People for Legislative Advocacy and Research (PLAR), in collaboration with leading public relations firm PR Professionals, organised a webinar on Friday on the theme “Media and Governance: Issues & Challenges.”
Dr. Aaqib Anwaar Butt, Assistant Professor at the Sharda School of Media, Film and Entertainment (SSMFE), Sharda University, Greater Noida, was the key speaker at the session, which was moderated by media practitioner Md Danish Rahman.
The discussion focused on the evolving relationship between media and governance in the contemporary digital landscape. In his address, Dr. Butt highlighted the critical role of media in shaping public opinion, influencing policy discourse, and strengthening democratic accountability. He also drew attention to the growing concerns around misinformation, ethical challenges, and the complexities involved in regulating digital platforms.
Emphasising the need for responsible journalism, he underscored the importance of maintaining credibility and transparency in an era of rapid information dissemination. He further noted that constructive engagement between media institutions and policymakers is essential for ensuring informed governance and building public trust.
Highlighting the significance of media in a democracy, PRP Group Managing Director Dr. Sarvesh Tiwari remarked, “If even one button on a shirt is misplaced, the entire shirt loses its form. Similarly, if the media does not function in the right manner, it can distort the entire democratic framework.”
PRP Group Executive Director Rahul Kashyap stressed the importance of developing indigenous benchmarks for assessing media freedom in India. “It is essential for India to evolve its own framework to measure media freedom, one that reflects the country’s unique socio-political context rather than relying solely on external indices,” he said.
The session saw participation from students, academicians, and media professionals, who engaged in discussions on the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of media and governance.
The webinar concluded with a call for sustained dialogue on strengthening ethical practices and enhancing the role of media in democratic processes.
