Speaking after inaugurating UGC sponsored two-day national-level seminar on “Media power in politics: A global perspective,” organised by Department of PG Studies in Mass Communication and Journalism of SDM College in Ujire, he expressed his concern over media being weighed equivalent to politics. “People are gradually losing faith in the media. The situation is such that the people are doubtful about the source of news in itself,” he said and added that the media must work as a bridge between government and public by creating a strong public opinion.
Analysing the relationship between media and politics, Prof Bhat opined that in an era of globalisation, media has the power to influence and control politics. Through transmitting accurate information, analysis and timely surveys media can strengthen the democracy, he informed. He further observed that media has the power to make democracy a success by bringing awareness among the people about the media scenario.He gave food for thought to the audience by initiating the debate over media power in politics by raising few issues like, whether politics is more powerful than the media or media is more powerful, whether media controls politics or politics controls media.
Assam University Department of Mass Communication Head Dr K V Nagaraj said that it is quite a complication to understand whether media is using politics or politics is using media for their own benefits.
A photo exhibition by photo journalist Shimoga Nandan drew the attention of the crowd.
SDM College Principal Dr B Yashoverma, Dean of PG Studies Prof J Mahaveera, Belthangady Press Club President Pushparaj Shetty and others were present.
The day long seminars by academicians from various parts of the State on various dimennsions of media power in politics ignited thoughts in the mind of participants.
