PATIALA: The seminar organized by department of Journalism and mass Communication of Punjabi University Thursday turned as lack luster show of the department.

The theme of seminar was  "Media, Parents and Children" and neither parents nor children were there to attend the seminar. The list of speakers, which was provided to media, has only name from administration and media professionals.

The department has not even pained to called and psychologist or any writer who writes for the children.

Punjabi writer of Juvenile literature Darshan Singh Ashat said that these types of seminars would be practical only if Juvenile writers should be called to speak on this occasion.

He said that these writers and infantile psychologist could only determine the psychology of children. He said that how Juveniles feel and how the media will present to them only these people would guide, he added.

The department has organized this seminar in hurriedly manner to use the grant of UGC before the completion of financial year, said a media analyst.

The chief guest of the function, member parliament form Amritsar, Navjot Sidhu did not attend the seminar.

The media advisor of Punjab Chief Minister, Harcharan Bains also pulled the university authorities for using English language during the seminar as it might hamper the image of Punjabi University.

While inaugurating a three-day national seminar on "Media, Parents and Children" being organized by the Punjabi University's department of Journalism and mass Communication, which began here Thursday, he said that since Punjabi University itself founded for the betterment of Punjabi language and it was not advisable to address seminars in English when all of the participants were from Punjab. 

He was commenting on organizers who have started the seminar by addressing in English language. He said that when some one from outside state especially form south and abroad then we could understand the use of English language. 

Regarding the role of Media he said,  "Media can play a powerful role in reviving and stabilizing the staggering parent-children relationship and bridging the widening generation gaps." Media, he said, was giving unusually less space to the activities and achievements of children and their changing life styles as a measure of explosively changing media scene and its ever-increasing influence.

Bains said that, I myself being a mediaperson, can't take pride instating that media were not doing justice in respect of promoting values in the context of Indian cultural ethos.

He further said that media as a silent educator unfortunately focuses more on the negative aspects of life with selfish motives governing its functioning. Media need to deeply introspect to redefine and redesign their agenda in the larger interests of the society, he added.
   
In his presidential address, Dr Jaspal Singh, Vice-Chancellor, said that in their race to edge past each other, media have forgotten that freedom should be guided by a deep sense of solemn responsibility, failing which it can lead to anarchy.

They should not succumb to the likes and dislikes of their audiences by way of sensationalizing, scandalizing and dramatizing the news with the singular motive of enhancing the size of their audiences and earning huge profits.

They should also avoid in triggering cultural differences among different sections of the society.
 
What is more important is what the audience wants to buy than what the media wants to sell. This has to certain extent brought down the standards of news reporting, though The Tribune has not caved in to the pressure of sacrificing its sacred tradition at the altar of glamour.

If media have failed in their effort to promote lofty cultural values, parents too have failed in doing so among their children.  He advised the budding journalists to resort to life style journalism in addition to other specialized areas like business journalism, media management and new media technology.

Vikram Dutt, a film producer for the discovery channel and programme director of home for hope, USA that media should try to bring smiles on the faces of their audiences than generating despair, conflict and discontent.

They should instill in them spirit of excelling themselves than outwitting their rivals. He expressed his dismay over the fact that media have failed in addressing to the ground reality.

Gurmeet Maan. Head of the Department, said that media can't be blamed whole hog for everything. We should understand that media are just the means and not the end.

While parents are worried about their children, children too feel skeptical about the doublespeak of their parents.

A cordial balance between media, parents and children can only resolve the crisis emerging out of the imbalance between the three entities.

Dr Sucha singh Gill, Dean Academic Affairs, proposed the vote of thanks. Prof Navjit Johal and Dr Happy Jeji also spoke on the occasion.