EMRC Auditorium, University of Mysuru | 2025
In an age of information overload, echo chambers, and viral misinformation, what role does media truly play in democracy? Can journalism still hold power accountable? And how can young people often dismissed as “reel makers” obsessed with short-form content, become genuine agents of democratic change?
These questions formed the heart of a powerful conversation at the Governance Talk Series on “Strengthening Civic Participation: Role of Media and Communication,” organized by GRAAM in collaboration with EMRC (University of Mysore) and Hanns Seidel Foundation at the EMRC Auditorium, University of Mysuru.
The event brought together over 125 students from journalism and social work programs across Mysuru, including St. Philomena’s College, Maharaja’s College, Maharani’s College, Christ College, MSW students from University of Mysuru, and Fellows of the Youth for Governance Fellowship – Mysuru 2025—for an afternoon of reflection, challenge, and inspiration.
A Symbolic Beginning: Planting Seeds of Change
The event opened with a symbolic inauguration: the watering of a sapling. This simple act carried profound meaning, just as a seed requires nurturing to grow, so too does civic participation require consistent care, attention, and commitment.
It was a fitting metaphor for what followed: a series of talks that challenged students not just to consume media, but to understand, critique, and actively shape it.
Mr. Bharat Joshi: Media as the Perennial Opposition
Mr. Bharat Joshi, Chief of Political Bureau at Deccan Herald, opened with a provocative framing: media acts as the perennial opposition in democracy.
This doesn’t mean being reflexively critical or adversarial. It means serving as a check on power, asking uncomfortable questions, and ensuring that those in positions of authority remain accountable to the people they serve.
Fighting Misinformation and Disinformation
In an era where falsehoods spread faster than facts, Mr. Joshi emphasized that journalists have a responsibility to fight misinformation and disinformation with rigor and clarity. This isn’t just about fact-checking—it’s about building public trust through credibility and transparency.
Simplifying Complexity
Complex policy issues often remain inaccessible to ordinary citizens because they’re buried in jargon, bureaucracy, and technical language. Good journalism, Mr. Joshi argued, simplifies without dumbing down, making important issues understandable while respecting the intelligence of readers.
Hyper-Local, Policy-Oriented Storytelling
Too often, media focuses on sensational national headlines while ignoring stories that matter most to local communities. Mr. Joshi urged students to pursue hyper-local journalism that highlights policy implementation, governance failures, and community-led solutions at the grassroots level.
Research-Driven Journalism
Above all, Mr. Joshi stressed the importance of credibility. Journalism that is research-driven and grounded in facts empowers citizens with clarity and confidence. It gives people the information they need to participate meaningfully in democracy not just as voters, but as informed, engaged citizens.
Mr. N. Ravi Shankar: Participate, Protest, Preempt
Mr. N. Ravi Shankar, CEO of Aim High Consulting, shifted the focus to Gen Z civic engagement, introducing three powerful pathways: Participate, Protest, and Preempt.
Participate
Democracy isn’t a spectator sport. Young people must actively participate not just by voting, but by engaging with local governance, attending public hearings, joining community organizations, and contributing their voices to decisions that shape their futures.
Protest
When systems fail or injustice prevails, protest is a legitimate and necessary form of civic expression. But effective protest requires clarity of purpose, strategic thinking, and constructive alternatives—not just opposition for its own sake.
Preempt
Perhaps most importantly, Mr. Ravi Shankar urged youth to proactively address challenges before they become crises. This means asking meaningful questions early, identifying systemic weaknesses, and working to strengthen institutions before they break down.
Going Beyond Surface-Level Awareness
He challenged students to move beyond shallow engagement retweeting hashtags or sharing infographics and instead explore the deeper “why” and “how” of issues. What are the root causes? What are the structural barriers? What solutions have worked elsewhere?
By cultivating this depth of understanding, young people can transform challenges into opportunities and emerge as active contributors to governance, not just commentators on the sidelines.
Dr. Basavaraju R Shreshta: Media as Catalyst, Bridge, and Changemaker
Dr. Basavaraju R Shreshta, Executive Director of GRAAM, brought the conversation back to media’s transformative potential. He argued that media must serve three essential roles:
Catalyst
Media should spark action not just report on problems, but inspire solutions and mobilize communities to address challenges collectively.
Bridge
Media connects diverse communities, facilitates dialogue across differences, and helps build understanding between citizens and institutions, between urban and rural, between the powerful and the marginalized.
Changemaker
Ultimately, media has the power to drive social change by setting agendas, shaping public discourse, and holding systems accountable.
The “3 Ps” of Responsible Journalism
Dr. Shreshta introduced his own framework for media excellence:
- Positive News
Not superficial “feel-good” content, but stories that highlight what’s working, celebrate community resilience, and showcase solutions alongside problems. - People-Centric Stories
Journalism that centers lived experiences, amplifies marginalized voices, and ensures that coverage reflects the diversity and complexity of communities. - Policy-Oriented Journalism
Reporting that connects everyday issues to the policies that shape them, helping citizens understand how governance affects their lives and how they can influence it.
Cultivating Critical Thinking
Dr. Shreshta urged youth to cultivate critical thinking to question sources, examine biases, and evaluate evidence before forming opinions. In an age of algorithmic feeds and confirmation bias, this skill is more essential than ever.
Using Social Media Responsibly
He also called on students to use social media responsibly not just as consumers, but as creators who can build “pockets of excellence” that inspire constructive dialogue and counter the noise with substance.
Dr. M. S. Sapna: From Reel Makers to Real Changemakers
Dr. M. S. Sapna, Director of EMRC, delivered the presidential remarks with a powerful call to action.
She challenged students with a provocative question: Will you remain “reel makers,” or will you rise as “real changemakers”?
In a world obsessed with viral content, fleeting trends, and performative activism, it’s easy to mistake visibility for impact. But real change requires depth, commitment, and sustained effort, qualities that can’t be captured in a 30-second video.
Dr. Sapna urged students to:
- Wisely use research resources available to them through universities and libraries
- Leverage media platforms not for clout, but for meaningful participation in democratic processes
- Contribute to nation-building through informed, responsible engagement with governance
Her message resonated deeply: the tools of communication are powerful, but only if used with purpose, integrity, and a genuine commitment to the public good.
A Room Full of Future Leaders
The audience of over 125 students represented the future of Indian journalism, social work, and civic engagement. They came from diverse programs and institutions, but they shared a common curiosity: How can we make a difference?
Throughout the event, their questions and engagement demonstrated that this generation isn’t content to passively consume media or accept systems as they are. They want to understand, critique, and improve the institutions that shape their lives.
Key Takeaways
Several themes emerged across the talks:
- Media is Essential to Democracy
A functioning democracy requires an informed citizenry, and that requires credible, accessible, research-driven journalism. - Accountability Matters
Whether through investigative reporting or civic protest, holding power accountable is a responsibility we all share. - Participation is Active, Not Passive
Democracy demands more than voting, it requires ongoing engagement, critical thinking, and a willingness to participate in governance at all levels. - Quality Over Virality
In an age of clickbait and sensationalism, substance matters more than speed, and credibility matters more than reach. - Youth Have Agency
Young people aren’t just the “leaders of tomorrow”, they’re changemakers today, capable of shaping discourse, influencing policy, and building the future they want to see.
Empowering Young Voices for a Participatory Democracy
As the event concluded, one thing was clear: the students who filled that auditorium aren’t passive consumers of media or disengaged spectators of democracy. They’re curious, critical, and committed to making a difference.
Programs like this Governance Talk Series organized through partnerships between GRAAM, EMRC, and Hanns Seidel Foundation play a crucial role in nurturing that commitment, providing young people with the frameworks, inspiration, and networks they need to become effective civic actors.
Together, we’re building a democracy that doesn’t just function—it thrives, powered by informed citizens, responsible media, and young people who refuse to be reel makers when they can be real changemakers.Â
Because a healthy democracy requires an informed citizenry and an informed citizenry requires media that serves, not just sells. 🌱
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