Freedom of Expression is the Cornerstone of Democracy: Flying Officer Dr. Chaman.
One-Day Seminar on “Freedom of Speech and Expression – Article 19” Organised at Vallabh Government College, Mandi.
Shimla:
A one-day seminar on “Freedom of Speech and Expression – Article 19” was organised by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Vallabh Government College, Mandi. The seminar aimed to familiarise students with the constitutional provisions relating to freedom of speech and expression, its significance and limitations, and its role in a democratic system and the media.
The seminar was presided over by Flying Officer Dr. Chaman Lal Kranti Singh, Head, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. On the occasion, Advocate and Social Media Podcaster Vinod Kumar interacted with the students as the subject expert and shared his views and experiences on various dimensions of freedom of speech and expression.
Addressing the gathering, Flying Officer Dr. Chaman said that freedom of speech and expression is the lifeline of a democracy. It provides citizens with a constitutional right to freely express their thoughts, feelings and viewpoints and strengthens dialogue, public discourse and diversity of opinions in a democratic society.
Flying Officer Dr. Chaman emphasised that the media is an important pillar of democracy, and the fundamental objective of journalism is to provide society with information that is factual, impartial and credible. He explained to the students that freedom of expression is accompanied by responsibility. Freedom of expression does not mean disregarding an individual’s dignity and privacy, social harmony or national interests.
He further stated that although the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression to citizens, this right is not absolute. Under Article 19(2) of the Constitution of India, reasonable restrictions may be imposed in matters relating to the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, contempt of court, defamation and incitement to an offence. He urged students to understand the importance of maintaining a balance between freedom of expression and constitutional responsibility.
On the occasion, Advocate and Social Media Podcaster Vinod Kumar spoke in detail about the changing landscape of social media, digital journalism, podcasting and various dimensions of freedom of speech and expression. He observed that social media has provided ordinary citizens with a powerful platform to express their views and reach a wider audience. However, given the extensive reach of digital platforms, he stressed that fact-checking, legal awareness and social responsibility are essential while sharing information online.
He advised students to verify facts before publishing content on social media, avoid spreading misleading or unverified information, and understand the legal and ethical responsibilities associated with freedom of expression. He said that a responsible media student should not only be capable of expressing ideas effectively but should also remain committed to truth, factual accuracy and social responsibility.
During the seminar, students engaged in discussions on freedom of speech and expression under Article 19, media freedom, social media, digital journalism, constitutional limitations on freedom of expression and the ethical responsibilities of journalism. They also interacted with the expert and raised several questions during the interactive question-and-answer session.
On the occasion, Flying Officer Dr. Chaman, Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, honoured Advocate and Social Media Podcaster Vinod Kumar by presenting him with a memento. He also expressed his gratitude to the resource person for sharing his knowledge, experiences and valuable insights with the students.
The programme was effectively anchored by Rakhi Thakur, a student of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. She conducted the proceedings smoothly and welcomed the speakers and participants.
Students of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, along with cadets of the NCC Air Wing and Army Wing, actively participated in the seminar. Their enthusiastic participation made the programme informative, engaging and inspiring, while enhancing their understanding of freedom of expression, constitutional rights and responsible citizenship.
The programme concluded with the message that free expression is a source of strength for democracy, while responsible expression upholds its dignity. The students were encouraged to remain aware of their constitutional rights while also fulfilling their duties and social responsibilities with sincerity and commitment.
On the occasion, students of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, including Mridul, Deepak Bhardwaj, Isha, Rakhi Thakur, Bunty, Jyoti, Archana Kumari, Aditi, Tamanna, Priyanka Rana, Geeta Devi, Manshirat Kaur, Lepakshi, Baniya Thakur, Aarti, Tripti, Kalpana, Amiksha and Manisha, also expressed their views and actively contributed to the discussion.
Among those present on the occasion were Assistant Professor Lieutenant Dr. Balbir Singh, Department of Commerce; Assistant Professor and Caretaker Officer Dr. Kavita, Department of Mathematics, along with hundreds of students from various departments and cadets of the NCC Air Wing and Army Wing.
