Independent, critical and assertive media is an integral part of a participative democracy. Only a powerful and robust media can perform the duties expected of the fourth estate of a democratic polity. Ironically, there has been an explosive growth of media and its influence on the Indian society even as it is losing credibility and respect at an alarming speed. There is an urgent need to check this decline and put media back on the high pedestal befitting an institution that strengthen democracy and keeps an eye on functioning of institutions and society. As of now, mainstream media appears to be getting too close to the political and financial powerhouses that it should be watching and critically examining. This has limited the spectrum of viewpoints that reach the people through mass media. With most media outlets owned by moneybags that are more concerned with profits than social good and corporate advertisers influencing the editorial contents of newspapers and television channels, independent media is increasingly compromised.

Self-regulation and institutional scrutiny of media is not very effective in India and training facilities in most media institutes are inadequate and not up to the mark. The result is that though technically and legally, we have a free media with a very large circulation/viewer ship, functionally media is not a ?quality product? that serves as a powerful channel of communication between the electors and various organs of the democratic state. Erosion of the institution of editor, lack of professionalism, crass commercialisation and personal and political biases of media persons, and what is notoriously called chequebook journalism, are serous infirmities from which media suffers. Media claims to be a mirror of the society. However, there is a need to hold mirror to the media by analysing the way it functions and examine issues of accuracy, fairness and objectivity. This is what Indian Media Centre proposes to do.

Although there are countless institutions and trade unions trying in their own ways to protect and defend independence and freedom of media and improve its quality, there is a compelling need to have an independent and powerful professional institution comprising Publishers, Editors, Senior Journalists, Media Educators, Public Relation Executives and concerned citizens to come on a common platform to meet the challenges Indian media faces. Indian Media Centre is a humble attempt to play that role. It is an independent, non-profit institution dedicated to the highest standards in journalism ? print, electronic and Internet. It was launched last year by a team of media professionals and concerned citizens in their quest for professional excellence. Last year, Indian Media Centre in collaboration with Punjab Union of Journalists held a two-day Indo-Pak Media convention at Ludhiana. More than 20 journalists from Pakistani Punjab and about 200 from our Punjab participated. It discussed issues of mutual interest to media persons of the two countries.

Indian Media Centre will focus on the following five major concerns:

1. Professionalism and ethics;
2. In-service training of media professionals, including those in marketing etc;
3. Improving and strengthening media education;
4. Protecting and defending independence and freedom of media;
5. Highlighting through international networking denial of freedom to media persons and attacks on them anywhere in the country and abroad.

IMC has launched a quarterly magazine - MEDIA CRITIQUE ? focused on media trends and analysis. It offers latest developments in Indian and international media to keep media persons informed of developments and trends. Its Website ? imconweb.com - will carry everything that is worth knowing so far as media is concerned. It will shortly launch a email alert service and a weekly newsletter to inform all concerned about denial of freedom and attacks on media persons in India and abroad. It will network with international outfits that work for protection of journalists and defend their right to freedom of expression. Major thrust of IMC work will be to hold workshops and in-depth discussions on media-related issues and to make the media more responsive to the needs of the society and changing times. It seeks to work with Media Institutions and UGC to upgrade courses for media students so as to equip potential journalists to meet challenges he or she will face in the profession.

Indian Media Centre has functional Chapters in Chandigarh, Punjab, Himachal, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Bihar, Orisa and Andhra Pradesh. Convenors have been appointed in several states, including Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, J&K, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Membership of IMC is by invitation. As of now, we have a select membership of more than 650 publishers, editors, senior media persons, media educators and public relations executives. We propose to add another 500 and have functional centres in 15 states and union territories during the year 2007.  

At the national level, Dr. Chandan Mitra has been elected Chairman for the term 2007-09. There is a Governing Board comprising 25 elected members and a National Council comprising delegates representing state chapters. Its Steering Committee comprising eminent personalities from media and related professions guides and scrutinizes its functioning.