The two day National conference titled “The Role and Relevance of Media Ethics in Contemporary Society” was held recently. The conference was organised by the departments of English and Philosophy, Dhempe College of Arts and Science and is supported by DempoCharitiesTrust. The inaugural was graced by the presence of Dr.VarunSahni, Vice Chancellor of Goa University. In his address as Chief Guest he spoke on the proliference of news and the proximity of the media in today’s technologically driven world, as well as the social implications of these facts. Shri.ParanjoyGuhaThakurta, an illustrious journalist and an erudite critic was the keynote speaker.   Shri.ShrinivasDempo, Chairman, Dempo Charities Trust presided over the occasion and expressed his appreciation for the topic of debate of the conference. Dr.VrindaBorkar, Principal, welcomed the guests and the participants to the college. Ms Clarinda Dias, Convenor put forth the key concepts of the conference after which Dr.Roshida Rodrigues delivered the vote of thanks.

In his keynote address, Mr.Thakurta spoke extensively about how media today has broadened both in its scope as well as in its effects. He expressed his concern on the biasing of news by those who hold a stake in media houses and the effects of the confluence between politics and the media industry. However he also drew the focus of the audience to positive media ventures such as crowd funded media. Mr.Thakurta engaged in a lively and fruitful debate with students and faculty members of Dhempe College of Arts and Science.

The conference included papers presented by researchers from within and outside the state. The papers presented covered a wide range of topics including rethinking media ethics across modalities and the issues and concerns of media ethics in the 21^st century, ethics in advertising, language politics and the stereotypes of television soaps. The conference included a panel discussion consisting of notable journalists like Mr.PrakashKamat, eminent journalist, Mr.SandeshPrabhudesai, Consulting editor at Goa 365, Ms. Pamela D’Mello, eminent journalist and Editor. The panaelists also included academicians- Dr.ZiniaD’Silva , Head, Department of Philosophy, Dhempe College of Arts and Science and Mr. Andrew Barreto,Assistant Professor, Department of English, ParvatibaiChowgule College of Science and Arts.The session proved to be a lively interactive session in which both the audience and the panel engaged in exacting debate on the state of media ethics in the present day.

A notable aspect of the conference included a special competition for young scholars in which students from Goa presented papers on topics related to media, ethics and society. The prize winners were awarded a trophy as well as a cash prize for their performance. The valedictory function was graced by the distinguished presence of Ms Patricia Pereira Sethi, an eminent journalist. She espoused the Platonic ideals of temperance, wisdom, courage, truth and accountability and urged journalists and young journalism students to abide by these. Shri.YatishDempo, Trustee, Dempo Charities Trust also expressed the need for ethical media. The principal, Dr.VrindaBorkar praised the organisers for the choice of such a relevant topic of debate. Ms. Clarinda Dias thanked the various contributors, the paper presenters and especially the student organisers who ensured that the conference proceedings were accessible to scholars of all ages.

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