Workshop on human rights and functioning of NHRC for media persons
The National Human Rights Commission has always believed that the media has an invaluable role to play in the protection and promotion of human rights, and remains in constant touch with it. After formulating a 'Media and Outreach Policy' in 2011, it set up a media Advisory Group, comprising CEOs and Chief Editors from major print, electronic and news agency organizations. In discussions with this group, it was agreed that the Commission would organize an orientation workshop for journalists on human rights as well as on the laws and institutional safeguards that protect these rights. The 'Workshop on human rights and functioning of NHRC for media persons' was held on the 27th April, 2012 in New Delhi.
Inaugurating this workshop, Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, NHRC reiterated that media plays an important role in the protection and promotion of human rights. The Commission has frequently taken suo motu cognizance of media reports on human rights violations. In turn, by reporting on the interventions and recommendations of the Commission, the media has given greater exposure to its work.
He also said that given the competition among news organizations to carry the latest news, some finer aspects about human rights issues, as well as the functioning and jurisdiction of the Commission sometimes may not get reflected correctly. Therefore, the NHRC thought it might be useful to hold an orientation workshop for the media, as it has for students, teachers, police personnel, government officers and others.
Mr. Jaimini Kumar Srivastava, Information and Public Relations Officer, NHRC said that with the growing importance attached to human rights and violations thereof at the international level, the time has come to recognize the need for developing a new discipline of human rights reporting like other beats in journalism. He said that the workshop was just a beginning and hoped that interactive workshops with media persons may help to evolve such a discipline in journalism which may also usher in a culture of human rights.
After the inaugural session, the workshop was divided into four thematic sessions. The first technical session on the 'Scope of NHRC intervention in human rights violations' was addressed by Mr. A.K. Garg, Registrar (Law) who was assisted by Mr. A.K. Parashar, Joint Registrar (Law), NHRC. The second technical session on the 'Significance and methods of investigations by NHRC' was addressed by Mr. Sunil Krishna, Director General (Investigation) who was assisted by Mrs. Mamta Singh, Deputy Inspector General, NHRC, Mr. Viplav Kumar Choudhry, SSP and Mr. Pupul Dutta Prasad, SSP. The third technical session on the 'Significance of NHRC research and methods involved therein' was addressed by Mr. J.S. Kochher, Joint Secretary (Trg.) who was assisted by Dr. Savita Bhakhry, Deputy Secretary (Research). The fourth and concluding session on the 'Importance of media's role in dissemination of information on human rights' was addressed by Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, Members, Mr. Justice G.P. Mathur, Mr. Justice B.C. Patel and Mr. Satyabrata Pal, who also answered various queries of the participants.
In response to a question on the NHRC's stand on the Supreme Court appointing a committee to make guidelines for media reporting, Justice Balakrishnan said that the Commission is a formal party in the matter, but has decided not to intervene as the issue only involves the reporting of court proceedings. The NHRC would not like to have curbs on media reporting. It would rather want to have as much interface with the media as possible to build awareness on human rights issues.
The workshop was attended by about forty participants from the print and electronic media and news agencies from different parts of the country. Almost all of them found the concept of the workshop very good and asked for more to be organized for media persons throughout the country.
Inaugurating this workshop, Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, NHRC reiterated that media plays an important role in the protection and promotion of human rights. The Commission has frequently taken suo motu cognizance of media reports on human rights violations. In turn, by reporting on the interventions and recommendations of the Commission, the media has given greater exposure to its work.
He also said that given the competition among news organizations to carry the latest news, some finer aspects about human rights issues, as well as the functioning and jurisdiction of the Commission sometimes may not get reflected correctly. Therefore, the NHRC thought it might be useful to hold an orientation workshop for the media, as it has for students, teachers, police personnel, government officers and others.
Mr. Jaimini Kumar Srivastava, Information and Public Relations Officer, NHRC said that with the growing importance attached to human rights and violations thereof at the international level, the time has come to recognize the need for developing a new discipline of human rights reporting like other beats in journalism. He said that the workshop was just a beginning and hoped that interactive workshops with media persons may help to evolve such a discipline in journalism which may also usher in a culture of human rights.
After the inaugural session, the workshop was divided into four thematic sessions. The first technical session on the 'Scope of NHRC intervention in human rights violations' was addressed by Mr. A.K. Garg, Registrar (Law) who was assisted by Mr. A.K. Parashar, Joint Registrar (Law), NHRC. The second technical session on the 'Significance and methods of investigations by NHRC' was addressed by Mr. Sunil Krishna, Director General (Investigation) who was assisted by Mrs. Mamta Singh, Deputy Inspector General, NHRC, Mr. Viplav Kumar Choudhry, SSP and Mr. Pupul Dutta Prasad, SSP. The third technical session on the 'Significance of NHRC research and methods involved therein' was addressed by Mr. J.S. Kochher, Joint Secretary (Trg.) who was assisted by Dr. Savita Bhakhry, Deputy Secretary (Research). The fourth and concluding session on the 'Importance of media's role in dissemination of information on human rights' was addressed by Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, Members, Mr. Justice G.P. Mathur, Mr. Justice B.C. Patel and Mr. Satyabrata Pal, who also answered various queries of the participants.
In response to a question on the NHRC's stand on the Supreme Court appointing a committee to make guidelines for media reporting, Justice Balakrishnan said that the Commission is a formal party in the matter, but has decided not to intervene as the issue only involves the reporting of court proceedings. The NHRC would not like to have curbs on media reporting. It would rather want to have as much interface with the media as possible to build awareness on human rights issues.
The workshop was attended by about forty participants from the print and electronic media and news agencies from different parts of the country. Almost all of them found the concept of the workshop very good and asked for more to be organized for media persons throughout the country.