Bhopal: Marking World Press Day, the Bhopal International Centre (BIC) convened “Media Council-3” on May 3rd, 2025, igniting crucial conversations on the state of journalism, particularly concerning the pressing environmental crisis. BIC Founder Shashidhar Kapur set the stage for discussions aligned with UNESCO’s 2024 theme: “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis.”
Experts, including Prof. P.K. Biswas and Mr. Saurabh Popli, underscored the need for mainstream media to amplify consistent and informed environmental coverage. Mr. Kapur urged media bodies and universities to prioritize this critical area, especially with the UN’s 2025 focus on the environment.
The forum also delved into the Bhopal media landscape, with Senior Digital Journalist Sarman Nagele highlighting the challenge of obtaining a comprehensive view of city news. Economist Rajendra Kothari noted social media’s growing influence on mainstream narratives, while Senior Journalist Ruby Sarkar advocated for increased space and frequency of environmental stories in local media.
The event culminated with a presentation on World Press Day using AI video by BIC Co-Founder Preeti Tripathi and discussions on the upcoming “Bhopal International Festival & Colloquium” scheduled for June 1st. “Media Council-3” served as a powerful call to action, urging the media to embrace its vital role in ??????? the environmental emergency and shaping a more informed citizenry.
