Mumbai (AsiaNews) - "The media have an indispensable role in social transformation," and therefore "we must turn to an ethics of journalism", said Card. Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), at the inauguration of the national seminar on print journalism in India. The day was held at St. Paul Media Complex in Bandra, Mumbai, March 3 last. Organizers of the event, the Society of St. Paul, the Office for Social Communications of the CBCI and the Media Desk of the Archdiocese of Mumbai. The theme of the seminar was "The press in India - a mandate for social transformation." The Society of St. Paul is preparing celebrations for the centenary of Blessed Giacomo Alberione, founder of the Pauline Family.
"Excessive freedom is dangerous - continued the card. Gracias. "This is why a journalist must have self imposed rules and regulations. We think of John Paul II: he used the most of every resource offered by the world communication, to communicate the love of God. "
B.G. Verghese, a former journalist of the daily Hindustan Times and Indian Express, has taken up the issue of rights and duties of the media. "The press has immense power and everyone fears it. This invests the media with tremendous responsibility. 80% of what happens in the Parliament is based on what they read in the newspapers. Freedom of the press is a very special freedom. We do need some regulations for our media".
"The media - added the journalist - should act as guarantors of community values such as brotherhood, individual dignity and social justice. The social dynamics of India are evolving from agricultural centers to urban areas. The media must be credible. And this can only happen by making people aware, making them capable of participating in the development and transformation of the country. "