INAUGURATION The International Conference on “Role of media in democracy” commenced at 10.40 am. Father Lourduraj, Dean of Xavier School of Communications (XCOMM), Xavier University Bhubaneswar addressed the audience highlighting on why the topic “Role of media in democracy” was chosen. He also stated the important principles that media should follow i.e., information, correlation, continuity, entertainment and mobilisation. According to him “Media should be the voice of the voiceless”. He also raised the question of balanced news in India today. The vice-chancellor of Xavier University Bhubaneswar (XUB), thanked the dignitaries for their presence at the Second international conference organized by Xavier School of communications, Xavier University Bhubaneswar in collaboration with Odisha Television Network (OTV). He asked all the research scholars, media professionals and students to question media regarding the democratic values, political system and the system of art and communication. He also stated that if they don’t question media at this time, the market and government will influence people. PANEL DISCUSSION The guest speakers on the panel discussion were Shri Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda, Hon’ble member of the parliament, Lok Sabha, Government of India and Shri Siddarth Varadarajan, the founding editor of “The Wire” and Mr. Sandeep Sahu, senior journalist, the moderator. The panel discussion had two propositions. The first one focused on whether media is capable of doing something worth with its power, keeping in line the three crucial aspects of media ecosystem i.e., free, fair and independent. And the second is if they don’t do something really efficient for the people then what the consequences will be?

Mr Sandeep Sahu, the moderator spoke on the topic of the discussion “Does the hidden power of media undermine democracy?” He talked about the power of media and how it can make or break governments by influencing people. He also spoke on how media can make the government officials go to places where they haven’t ever been. Mr. Siddarth Varadarajan talked about the three different aspects of media ecosystem i.e., Free, Fair and Independent. He also questioned about the type of media a country like India needs and what will happen if such a media doesn’t exist. He stated that there are a very few media houses that are really interested in democratic values and independence. and only a few really care and believe in “quality journalism”. He advised the media students saying “Don’t let your personal bias affect what you see and hear and report.” Mr. Jay Panda, MP spoke on the freedom of press and the social media. He felt that the social media have overtaken the print and broadcast media because the people have become journalists and the opinions are shared today more than ever. On the first day, 10 papers were presented and Mr. Krishna Prasad, former editor-in-chief, The Outlook, and Mr. Anupam Dasgupta of “The Week” moderated the sessions. PAPER PRESENTATIONS ON NOVEMBER 26, 2016 51 papers were presented at the 2nd International conference besides talks by 3 eminent personalities. Mr. Brian Donahue of Alaska University addressed the participants through Skype on November 26, 2015 at 9.30am. Mr. Krishna Prasad, former editor-in-chief, The Outlook addresses the participants and shared the concerns about the corporate owned-media and his own concerns for those training to be journalists and emphasized on the ethical dimension. Mr. Sharma of CocaCola spoke to the students on Public Relations today in the afternoon. The papers were presented in 4 class rooms in 2 sessions at Xavier University Bhubaneswar. The moderators were Dr Stevenson, Dr. Devvrat Singh, Dr. Anupamdasgupta, Amit Patra, Dr. Francis Arckal, Dr. NC Pattnaik, and Maxim Dias SJ. The students participated in different sessions actively. The last session was valedictory. Fr. Lourduraj Ignacimuthu SJ, Dean distributed mementoes and certificates to the moderators, participants, and students. The conference was concluded with a vote of thanks.