Media and social sector must work together for a developed India: Experts

Veteran journalists, social activists, and academics came together at the India Habitat Centre (IHC) for a special discussion on “Role of Media and Social Sector in the Journey Towards a Viksit Bharat 2047,” jointly organised by Prayas JAC Society and IHC.

The session, held at IHC’s Casuarina Hall, explored how collaboration between media and the social sector can accelerate India’s progress toward becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Opening the discussion, Nivedita Pandey, Manager at Prayas, said that the media and civil society are like “hands and hearts”—working together to shape social welfare and nation-building.

Amod Kanth, Founder and Mentor of Prayas, described the social sector as the “fifth pillar” of democracy, emphasizing that true development is impossible without caring for vulnerable groups such as children, women, and the elderly. He noted that while nearly 3.7 million voluntary organizations operate across India, much remains to be done to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as poverty and lack of education persist.

Senior journalist A.J. Philip observed that NGOs rarely receive the media attention they deserve. He urged non-profits to maintain financial transparency to enhance credibility and attract coverage.

Padma Shri Alok Mehta highlighted the important role of regional media, noting that newspapers in Kerala and West Bengal have been instrumental in driving social change. He suggested sharing NGO success stories on platforms such as libraries and community networks to amplify impact.

Prof. (Dr.) K.G. Suresh, Director, India Habitat Centre, said the IHC remains committed to inclusiveness and sustainable development, and that partnerships like the one with Prayas strengthen this vision. He called for closer cooperation between media and NGOs to ensure sensitive and accurate coverage of social issues.

Senior journalist and activist Amitabh Srivastava urged both NGOs and media houses to go beyond “half-hearted efforts” and work with sustained commitment. He also cautioned against the sensational portrayal of children in electronic media.

Former IIMC Director Pradeep Mathur proposed special training seminars for journalists on “Development Stories” to help present positive social news more effectively.

Sandeep Marwah, Chancellor, AAFT, said community media such as Radio Noida 107.4, Radio Raipur 88.4, and MSTV can play a major role in promoting the work of NGOs, inviting collaboration with them.

Senior journalist Arvind Singh noted that media coverage can bring both justice and relief to common people, while collaboration with NGOs can help build public trust.

Avinash Singh, journalist and academic, encouraged NGOs to leverage digital platforms such as YouTube and social media for wider reach and fundraising. Writer Sangeeta Sinha shared that she launched her own magazine, “Panchva Stambh,” to bring social issues into the mainstream discourse.

Senior journalists Sudhanshu Ranjan and Jayanta Ghoshal concluded the session by stressing the need to make social reporting more accessible and relatable to the public through changes in media language and approach.