FICCI Frames 2008: Freedom of expression or social responsibility - The tussle continues | |
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|Rishi Vora |
|It is true that we are living in the age of information explosion, where media plays a significant role in empowering, |
|educating and even molding mindsets of many. The question that arises during such times is that pertaining to ‘Social |
|Responsibility’. Has the media and the entertainment space proved its ranks, is a question that bothers not only authorities |
|from the I&B ministry, but also citizens of our country. |
|A panel discussion titled ‘Is Media & Entertainment Socially Responsible: Where does freedom of speech and expression end and|
|social responsibility begin?’ saw the panel engage in heated debate with a lot of contradicting views being witnessed. The |
|panel comprised of big names as Pritish Nandy, Founder, PNC; Sharmila Tagore, Chairperson, CBFC; Zohra Chatterji, Joint |
|Secretary, Ministry of I&B; Amit Khanna, Chairman, Reliance Entertainment & FICCI Convergence Committee; and Filmmakers such |
|as Mahesh Bhatt, Shayam Benegal and Pritish Nandy who moderated the session. |
|Nandy started off the proceedings on a hilarious note as he said, “Freedom is freedom! It’s like virginity - you either have |
|it or you don’t.” On a serious note, Nandy explained that media was only the most liberated space in the world to be able to |
|inflict changes in the society, and thus with that comes social responsibility. “But I do feel that with these |
|responsibilities, what comes to fore are political powerplays by bureaucrats. Media and...