INDIA: The India Habitat Centre, through its Habitat Library and Research Centre, on December 5 inaugurated a new dialogue platform titled ‘IHC Connect’, aimed at engaging with contemporary social and civic issues. The inaugural session featured a roundtable discussion on “The Role of Media in Fostering Constructive Public Discourse”, organized in collaboration with the Office of Public Affairs of the Baha’is of India.
The discussion focused on the growing challenges facing public discourse in India and across the world, particularly the impact of misinformation, political polarization, partisanship and the influence of social media on shaping public opinion. Participants examined how these factors have contributed to a visible decline in the quality and integrity of public debate.
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Senior journalists from print, electronic and digital platforms, along with media educators, podcasters and film-based communicators, took part in the roundtable. The exchange was described as free-flowing and comprehensive, addressing both the pressures confronting the media and its responsibility in strengthening democratic dialogue.
Moderating the session, Prof. Dr. K. G. Suresh, Director of India Habitat Centre, expressed hope that the media would reclaim public trust and play a constructive role in nation-building. He emphasized that inclusive and meaningful discourse is essential to realizing the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
Noted journalist and film critic Murtaza Ali Khan termed IHC Connect a distinctive national initiative. He said that the platform has the potential to establish India Habitat Centre as an intellectual think tank under the leadership of Prof. Dr. K. G. Suresh. He also acknowledged the collaboration with the Baha’i Office of Public Affairs in hosting the first roundtable featuring leading voices from the Indian media fraternity.
Speakers at the event underlined that the vibrancy of public discourse is a key measure of a society’s democratic health. They noted that open dialogue enables citizens to arrive at shared visions for progress while renewing their commitment to moral and civic values. Healthy exchanges of ideas, they observed, encourage innovation, creativity and informed public policy.
The role of mass media in this process was described as central and consequential. Participants highlighted that the media not only informs citizens on matters of public interest but also prioritizes issues, frames narratives and ensures that diverse voices, especially from marginalized communities, are heard in decision-making processes.
The discussion also acknowledged the intense pressures faced by media organizations today, including political and economic constraints, along with the disruptive force of disinformation and trivialization driven by social media. The central concern raised was how the media can continue to act as a truthful reporter of facts, a reliable guide to public opinion and an enabler of informed and consultative dialogue.
The IHC Connect series aims to continue these conversations by bringing together experts, practitioners and citizens to engage with issues that shape society and public life.
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