Sreenath Sreenivasan, journalism professor at Columbia University & co-founder of SAJA 

PRESS RELEASE

The following are the articles published in different newspapers for the workshop held in IIJNM.

Workshops to promote eco-journalism
By Our Special Correspondent

The Hindu, November 22, 2002

Bangalore, Nov.21. The City-based Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media (IIJNM), in association with the International Centre for Journalists, Washington D.C., will organise workshops-cum-seminars in major cities to promote environmental journalism.

The first event will be held in Chennai on November 26 and 27 and in Bangalore on the IIJNM campus on November 29 and 30. This will be followed by seminars-cum-workshops in Mumbai on December 3 and 4, in New Delhi on December 6 and 7 and in Kolkota on December 10 and 11.

The Environment and Education centre, Sanctuary Asia, LEAD in India and the School of Fundamental Research are the co-organisers of the programme in Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkota, respectively, according to a press note issued by the Dean of IIJNM, Abraham George.

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) Chairman will inaugurate the programme on the IIJNM Campus on November 29. This will be followed by a panel discussion on environmental challenges before Karnataka. Ullas Karanth, wildlife expert, Nagesh Hegde, environmental journalist and O.V. Nadimath, Associate Professor of Environmental Law, National law School of India University will participate as panelists.

On November 30, Adam Glenn, Ford Environmental Journalism Fellow and an award winning senior producer with the ABC News of the U.S., will conduct a training session for journalists.

Speakers at the seminars will address key environmental issues of local concern, while experts participating in the workshops will offer techniques for improving environmental reporting and writing, practical tips on environmental resources and ideas for reports that appeal to local readers.

Those interested may contact Anusuya John on Ph: (080-8437907 or 8437902 for registration.


'Revive media coverage of environmental issues'

DH News Service

Deccan Herald, Bangalore, Nov.30, 2002

An appeal for reviving a people oriented approach to media coverage of environmental issues was made today by noted historian and writer Ramachandra Guha.

Environmental journalists were also a casualty of 'Hoopla surrounding liberalization and globalization in the late 1990s.'

Apart from giving rise to a breed of anti-environment journalists, the period also saw the "professionalism and popularization of environmental issues"

The related start of subject specific magazines like Down to earth and others by reputed environmental writers took environmental issue away from mainstream media, Mr. Ramachandra Guha pointed out while giving a brief account of the historical aspects of environmental journalism in India.

Mr. Guha who has authored and co-authored many books was speaking at the valedictory session of a two-day work-shop on environmental journalism in the City.

The programme "Professional Development Workshop for Environmental Journalists" anchored by Mr. Adam Glenn, Ford Environmental Journalism Fellow and senior producer ABCNEWS.com, New York, was held under the aegis of the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media (IIJNM), Bangalore.

Punish forest violators: meet
Times News Network

Times of India, Nov.30, 2002

Bangalore: Speakers at a workshop on "environmental challenges before Karnataka," on Friday called for stringent action against violators and an effective land management plan to protect forests and eco-systems from further degradation.

Speaking at the workshop jointly organised by the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, Bangalore and the Washington based International Centre for Journalists, noted wildlife conservationist K.Ullas Karanth, who presented a 12-minute film on the impact of mining in Kudremukh said: "There ought to be a clear demarcation of industrial areas and territory exclusively for landscape. What is left in our landscape is just 3 per cent. We have ruined the remaining 93 per cent."

Chairman of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) Upendra Tripathy in his inaugural address stressed the need for collaboration between research and development centres and the government before finalising procedures for polluting industries.

Sairam Bhat of the Centre for Environment Education and Research (CEERA) who pointed out the loopholes in environmental laws said not a single person has been convicted for ruining our eco-systems. Senior journalist Nagesh Hegde in his presentation on "Environment Impact of linking rivers" said linking rivers would lead to massive human displacement, nutrient blockage to ocean and excessive fragmentation of sanctuaries and parks.

Ford environmental journalism fellow and senior producer A. Adam Glenn of ABCNEWS.com, New York in his talk on "Trend in environmental journalism" said the media had a key role to play while eliciting society's response to a environmental disaster. "Newspapers did little to broach the most fundamental questions of Bhopal tragedy," he said.

IIJNM: World-Class Journalism Institute Inaugurated

6 June 2002: I am very pleased to announce that Dean Tom Goldstein of University Graduate School of Journalism has agreed to join the Board of Directors of IIJNM. This reflects the confidence and trust that he personally has in our mission. - Abraham George, Dean IIJNM

Bangalore, December 29, 2000: The Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media (IIJNM) was formally inaugurated today at Nityanadanagar, near Kumbalgodu, 24 kms from Bangalore.

The Honourable Union Minister of Law, Shri Arun Jaitley, The Honourable Union Minister for Tourism & Culture, Shri Ananth Kumar, and the Honourable Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri S M Krishna were present on the occasion, in addition to a host of leading officials and representatives from the media.

Balagangadharanath Swamiji, head of the Adi Chunchangiri Maha Samasthana, lighted the lamp and blessed the institution. The welcome address was delivered by Dr Abraham George, Acting Dean and co-founder of the Institute. Mrs Barbara Crossette, UN Bureau Chief of The New York Times, USA, delivered the keynote address.

IIJNM is founded by BS&G Foundation, a non-profit Trust that is dedicated to promoting true democratic values and institutions in India. BS&G Foundation is a partnership between Adi Chunchangiri Maha Samsthana Trust and The George Foundation. The former also runs several other educational institutions in medicine and engineering, while the latter is engaged in humanitarian projects and environmental issues.

The one-year Post Graduate Diploma course at IIJNM commenced in January, 2001. The programme in print and New Media journalism is based on a course content developed in association with the world-renowned Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, New York. Prof. Sreenath Sreenivasan of Columbia University was present on the occasion, along with other members of IIJNM's International Advisory Board.

IIJNM sets two new trends in professional training in India by offering a no age bar for admission, and one entry point in August. Applicants interested in doing a short-term certificate course can apply anytime. IIJNM will be among the first to adopt the American semester system, which allows students to enroll for the spring and fall starting sessions. This means that those irrespective of their age who wish to switch career or explore a new one can apply for admission.

The IIJNM is situated on a five-acre campus, and the complex is a sprawling 28,000 sq ft. facility built at a cost of Rs 4 crores. The institute has the most modern infrastructure, with a Media Centre, on-line library, high speed Internet access and individual Pentium III computers for each student. The fully residential campus has separate hostels for men and women.

For further information, contact:

Mrs.Anusuya John, Director of Projects & Administration
Tel: 080-5440164 / 5440210
Email : admin@iijnm.org

Visit our web site:  www.iijnm.org


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