The Goa Governor Dr. S. S. Sidhu highlighting the role of media in strengthening of democracy said in today’s era of information revolution, the Media represents a healthy and powerful element in the functioning of democracy.

The Governor was speaking after inaugurating Annual South Asia Media Summit-2009 on the theme “Media and Democracy in South Asia: Problems and Prospects” organized by the International Centre, Goa (ICG) in collaboration with Media Information and Communication Centre of India (MICCI) and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) at the International Centre, Goa today.

The Governor appreciated the theme of the Conference and a number of important issues like Poverty Alleviation in a Democratic set up; Electoral Process in the Region; the Role of Judiciary and the Police in Democracy; and Engaging Youth in strengthening Democracy etc. identified for discussions during the three-day Conference.

Speaking  further Dr. Sidhu said, that the stability and sustenance of democratic system of governance calls for access to information, and heavily depends on the efficient, accurate and complete transmission of political, economic, social and cultural information, which makes the citizens knowledgeable and responsible, and enables them to participate in governance and make their contribution.  The media is undoubtedly a vibrant conduit of such information and is expected to act in a responsible manner, always in public interest.  He said, “In our avowed objective to further strengthen democratic system, the Media can play an important role by disseminating information as a way of promoting a healthy and cordial relationship between the State and the civil society. It could also play an important role of building bridges of understanding between nations by promoting goodwill among the people across the borders and projecting bilateral issues dispassionately.  In the increasingly liberal ambience across the world, people are aspiring for correct information.  In fact, it is the right of the readers to know all the facts about the happenings around.  Media must respond to the emerging situation.”

The Governor said that the democracy has come to stay as a widely accepted and acceptable system of governance in the world.  Democracy recognizes freedom and rights of the citizens who are able to participate in governance freely and effectively.  India is a classic example of the success of democracy.  It is the largest democracy in the world, which has, over the last 60 years, strengthened its democratic institution.  Democracies has brought enormous opportunities to people and are striving to allow it to grow into fullness.  The democratic principles have become actual functioning realities.  During the last six decades, India has made great progress in the Political, economic, social and cultural spheres despite occasional troubles and tribulations.  In all its achievements, the Media has undoubtedly made a special contribution.  The Media continues to remain as a strong pillar of support to our democratic functioning, which has always been duly recognized.

He said that, South Asia has emerged as a powerful region in the global political and economic sphere.  He reminded to the delegates that South Asian countries, including India, has over the centuries, inherited a common heritage of ideals and values – spiritual, cultural, philosophical, religious and racial-.  The people of these countries should be proud of this common heritage.  Endowed with vast human and natural resources and political and cultural wealth, this region is making significant progress in various fields.  With all these endowments, South Asia can emerge as an example of peace and progress for others to follow.  However, the region needs increased co-operation and integrated strategies in promoting economic development and peaceful co-existence and also to fight against the increasing menace  of evil forces like  terrorism, extremism and violence which have become a serious impediment to the economic progress of this region.

The Governor said, “Poverty, illiteracy and disease continue to be serious common problems faced by the countries in South Asia.  India, too, is no exception.  In spite of significant socio-economic development during the last 60 years of democratic governance, Country is yet to eliminate poverty completely from this land.  Poverty is very often the fundamental cause for frustration and lawlessness.  Some of the countries may be spending more on arms and ammunitions than on poverty-alleviation programmes.  Unless and until poverty is removed, or reduced, developmental strategies cannot be fully successful.  No doubt, there has been considerable progress in improving the living conditions of the population in the Asian region, but much remains to be done in this regard.”

In a vast country like India, many religions are practiced, many languages are spoken, many sartorial and food habits are prevalent in various parts of the country.  Relations between various communities constituting the Indian society are delicate issues requiring sensitive handling under varying circumstances.  In regard to maintenance of communal harmony, too, media has an important role to play and also in maintenance of unity and integrity of the nation.  India is known for its long legacy of tolerance and communal harmony, he added.

He said,”however, each country in our region is having its own identity and problems, there is a variety in the growth of political, legal and social institutions. Media’s role in all the countries could not be expected to be uniform. Consequently, when you debate the issues set before you during this Conference, your approach to the same could be different from each other.  Yet, it is a fact that wisdom is dawning upon the leadership of the countries of South Asia that their destiny lies in co-existence, cooperation and strengthening intra-regional ties. South Asia has to learn from the past experience and think of those ideas and concepts which would usher in prosperity, well-being and peace for the people of the region.  Our biggest challenge is on the economic front besides social transformation.  Given the goodwill, we should be able to share our experiences and resources to build a strong future for all of us.”

He said that it is easier to fight poverty in a democratic set up because in a free atmosphere the Government of the day would find it easy to enlist the support of the citizens to accomplish the goal.  So far as Judiciary is concerned, it has emerged, particularly in this country, as the conscience-keeper of the people.  Consequently, democracy derives strength from an independent judiciary, though there is room for introspection.  In India, the police force is doing a good work of maintaining internal peace and security though there are at times, instances of the nexus between the police and anti-social elements.  There is, of course, room for reforming the police force and, in fact, the Supreme Court has issued certain guidelines on this matter.  The youth, who constitute 40% of the country’s population, are our wealth.  They have to be groomed and trained properly so that they become effective instruments of the country’s effort to emerge as an economic superpower. This can hold good for other nations in the region too.

The Governor also mentioned that like any other part of the globe, South Asia, too, is faced with ecological and environmental catastrophes.  Sustainable development of any region calls for sustainable environmental and ecological standards.  Historically, civilizations and political systems survived basically because of the abundance of natural resources.  Perhaps, South-Asian countries are not taking adequate measures to protect and preserve their precious natural environment, which has great relevance and importance for sustained progress.  Let us hope that, South Asians, who have inherited a rich legacy of spiritual, philosophical and cultural traditions, will emerge as leaders in this century in protecting their natural resources and environment, and become a role model for others to follow, so that their present and future generations can have a better quality of life with cleaner air, pure water and original beautiful landscapes.  We expect South-Asian countries, to adopt and exhibit, a spirit of adventure, spirit of innovation and spirit of reformation in tune with the changing currents and ethics of the modern world.  There is need for increased communication, not only outward communication, but, inward communication, so as to ensure peace, progress, security and stability for all, based on their past cultural links, geographical proximity and the great common heritage that they have inherited, while at the same time retaining their distinctive identity,” he added.

Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly Shri Pratapsingh Rane said, media constitute backbone of democracy.  Media identifies problems faced by the society. With increasing number of channels in the country there is tremendous competition.

Referring to pending cases in courts Shri Rane stressed the need to find out a method to overcome this problem.  He said Countries in the region should make minimum education mandatory for elected representatives.

Shri Rajeshwar Dayal, Senior Advisor, FED also spoke on the occasion.

Nandini Sahai, Director, International Centre, Goa welcomed the gathering.  Shri Arjun Halarnkar, Programme Manager, ICG gave a perspective of the Seminar. Shri Collin Curry, Trustee MICCI proposed the vote of thanks.

The delegates from Nepal Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka besides India are participating in the three days Conference.