World Press Freedom Day
Report
Aishwarya Siingh
BAJMC Sem 2
In an era where information is the world's most valuable currency, the Amity School of Communication (ASCO), Kolkata, stood as a vanguard for journalistic integrity. Celebrating World Press Freedom Day, the campus transformed into a forum of intellectual rigor and creative defiance, reminding us that a muffled press is the precursor to a silenced nation.
The event commenced with a symbolic gesture of growth and sustainability. In a unique departure from traditional lamp-lighting, the dignitaries—including Chief Guest Shri Debashis Sen (IAS, Retd.), Guest of Honour Shri Prasenjit Baksi, Consulting Editor at Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan Kolkata Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Sanku Bose, Registrar Ms. Amrita Saha, Dean of Academics Prof. Dr. Shauli Mukherjee, Dean of ASCO Prof. Dr. Akash Deep Muni, and Convenor Prof. Moumita De Das—together planted a sapling. This act mirrored the nurturing required to keep the "Fourth Estate" alive and flourishing.
The momentum shifted to the digital frontier with the launch of the second edition of "THE ASCO TIMES." An initiative by ASCOPE, this publication serves as a laboratory for future editors, proving that the spirit of Hicky’s Bengal Gazette still thrives in the hearts of Kolkata’s youth.
Shri Debashis Sen delivered a stirring keynote, emphasizing that press freedom is not a gift from the state but a fundamental pillar of human rights. His words resonated with the classic sentiment of Lokmanya Tilak:
"Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it." Tilak’s legacy reminds us that the right to speak is the first step toward the right to be free.
The atmosphere turned poignant as BAJMC students took the stage for an inaugural dance tribute to the late veteran journalist Gauri Lankesh. It was a "mesmerizing and powerful" performance that used rhythmic storytelling to highlight the perils faced by those who dare to speak truth to power. Following this, Shri Prasenjit Baksi shared veteran insights from the world of broadcasting, underscoring that a journalist’s "free voice" is the only antidote to societal stagnation.
Adding a layer of contemporary relevance, Prof. Dr. Akash Deep Muni discussed the complexities of delimitation, using it as a case study for the media’s immense power in shaping public perception through news delivery.
The day reached its crescendo with the creative energy of BAJMC students. Through a series of musical skits and dances, they chronicled the arduous journey of the Indian press—from the defiant colonial resistance to the dark days of the Emergency. Their performance served as a vivid reminder that the "Freedom to Print" was earned through sacrifice.
The essence of the day was best captured by the timeless prayer of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore:
"Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high... Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake."
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