Paid news under attack at global PR conclave

MUMBAI: Paid news and PR journalists came under severe attack at the recent Global PR and Media conclave hereld heer.
Veteran journalist and former editor of several top newspapers Mr H K Dua and news television anchor Mr Arnab Goswami who spoke at the 6th global PR and media conclave hosted by the Public Relations Council of India (PRCI), opposed the trend of paid news and said it goes against the principles of journalism.
The theme of the conclave was: PR – Interface or interference?
Conclave chairman B N Kumar announced the setting up the Indian PR Academy by PRCI to provide advanced skill training in public relations to make the young graduates of mass communication colleges industry ready. PR as a profession offers tremendous scope to communication professionals.
“Paid news is nothing but propaganda under the garb of journalism,” Mr Dua, who delivered the key note address at the conclave said. “Journalists should not work like PR people and PR people should not behave like journalists,” he said and pointed put the “Lakshman Reka” (the line that differentiates) between PR and journalism. Both the professionals need to maintain their oen levels of credidility, he said.
Mr Goswami was felicitated with Mediaperson of the year award for being the game changer in TV journalism and for his forthright approach to breaking news and coverage of various events that shook the nation.  He said journalists should be upright and be not afraid calling spade a spade. They should not buckle under any pressure from any quarter.
Maharashtra DGP Mr K Subramaniam, who was the chief guest stressed the role of communicators in social security. Media in particular he said has a great role to play in making people aware about the law and putting right before the wrong.

Mrs Rajashree Birla receiving the Corporate Citizen of the Year
Award on behalf of  the Aditya Birla Group

Mrs Rajashree Birla, chairperson, the Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development, said every corporate and even PR professional should spend some time and efforts on community development and reaching out to the underprivileged. Mrs Birla received the Corporate Citizen of the Year Award on behalf of the Aditya Birla group.
Former Pakistan Law Minister and human rights activist Mr Iqbal Haider, who was a surprise guest at the conclave, said PR and media professionals have a big role to play in bringing the people of India and Pakistan closer to ensure lasting peace in the region. In fact, he said he would be keen to play a role in hosting a communicators’ conclave in Pakistan.
Veteran journalists like Ayaz Memon and Kumar Ketkar who spoke on panel discussions said public relations has its own role an interface  between corporate and media and as facilitators of communication.