Closing Ceremony of Month Long Internship Programme Conducted by Sansad TV for the Post Graduate Final Year students of Indian Institute of Mass Communication

I touch and salute the Holy Feet of Bharat Mata – the Most Powerful and the Most Merciful. Bharat Mata Ki Jai!

Today, on the occasion of the closing ceremony of one month internship programme conducted by Sansad TV for the students of Indian Institute of Mass Communication,Hon’ble Deputy Chairman Shri Harivanshjiwho is also well known journalist, editorand my colleague in the Rajya Sabha; Officers of Sansad TV, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, I.I.M.C; And My dear Intern Students.

I am extremely happy that Sansad TV for the first time took initiative to extend internship opportunity to the final year Post Graduate students of Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi. As already mentioned in the film, I had gone to I.I.M.C. as Chief Guest for its convocation in February this year. I had suggested at that time for practical training being given to I.I.M.C. students in Sansad TV. I am happy that it has been implemented. I commend the professionals of Sansad TV who mentored these young interns.

The I.I.M.C. has, over decades, established itself as the premier institution for communication and journalism education in India.  Its alumni constitute the backbone of our media landscape. I got to know that this batch of 20 young interns selected from different campuses of I.I.M.C. were engaged in all important verticals of Sansad TV – production, editing, shooting, graphics, social media, studio operation and guest coordination. I am also happy to know that the Interns havecontributed meaningfully during this internship period.

Dear students, the internship has transitioned you from academic theory to professional practice. You have experienced the importance of accuracy, the discipline of deadlines and the complexity of editorial judgment. This internship is an invaluable learning experience.  You have got more than just an exposure in tele-production, you have now got complete knowledge of nitty-gritty of work behind the screen.

You have also witnessed the interface between democracy, governance, and communication. The exposure you gained here will certainly help you understand institutional functioning, parliamentary traditions and the ethical dimensions of journalism. I hope this experience will inspire you to become media professionals who are not only skilled communicators but also responsible nation-builders. India needs journalists and communicators who are intellectually honest, socially sensitive, technologically competent and deeply committed to democratic values. As you move forward in your careers, always remember that media has the power not only to shape narratives but also to shape nations.

It is our supreme duty to serve Mother India. India is the world’s largest democracy and the cradle of democracy. A free and responsible press remains an important pillar of governance. Your role as a public communicator will be important in nation building. It is expected from you that you will weave a positive narrative of development and reflect on the aspirations of our people in their collective journey towardsthe vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shriman Narendra Modi Ji of ‘Viksit Bharat’ 2047.

The international community regards Bharat today with renewed interest—for our demographic dividend, technological innovation, and democratic resilience. I believe that you all, as the next generation of journalists, will articulate India’s narrative with integrity and pride. National commitment must be balanced with journalistic objectivity. As you step into newsrooms remember that you are active contributors to nation-building.

In an attention-driven media economy, the temptation toward sensational-ism is considerable. The Sansad TV exposure combined with the ethics of your Alma Mater must strengthen you all to resist this temptation. Your credibility must always rest on accuracy of facts not on creating sensational stories. Our Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression. With this freedom rests an equal responsibility to uphold truth, objectivity and public interest. I urge you to always probe yourself on three parameters, of factual accuracy, the context and serving the larger public interest.

Technological changes are taking place rapidly. In the age of Artificial Intelligence you must view technology as an enabler, instrument for research, data analysis, and verification. But, the editorial judgment based on reasoned analysis must remain exclusively with you. The spread of misinformation and deep fakes requires strict vigilance. For achieving greater speed in a fiercely competitive market you must not compromise on verification. Your reporting must be unbiased, and inclusive.

Comprehensive understanding of Bharat requires report-age beyond metropolitan centres. The aspirations, challenges, and achievements of Bharat deserve equal prominence in national discourse.

My best wishes to each of you. May this training through internship in the Parliamentary Channel of the country be a beginning to an illustrious career, –– A career distinguished by credibility. May your work strengthen the foundations of our democracy.  I extend my congratulations to all interns on the successful completion of their post-graduate internship.

• Jai Hind!
• Long Live Mother Bharat!

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