MUMBAI – At a high-level workshop titled “Women, Media, and Technology,” Vijaya Rahatkar, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), called upon the media to uphold the highest standards of ethics and verification. The event, held at the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan, was organized in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra’s DGIPR.
Rahatkar emphasized that media serves as a powerful architect of social mindsets, making it imperative that reporting on women remains sensitive and responsible.
Credibility Over Speed in the Digital Age
While acknowledging the rapid pace of news in the digital era, the Chairperson highlighted the growing risks of unverified information:
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Verification First: Rahatkar noted that while speed is important, credibility is vital. She urged journalists to prioritize fact-checking to combat fake news and misinformation.
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Beyond Atrocities: Speakers, including author Richa Sood, argued that media should move away from focusing solely on crimes against women. Instead, they should highlight women’s achievements in science, defense, and entrepreneurship on front pages.
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Professional Responsibility: Gender-sensitive reporting was described not as an option, but as a core professional duty of every journalist.
AI and Gender Sensitivity
Brijesh Singh, Director General of the DGIPR, addressed the intersection of technology and journalism. He pointed out that:
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Digital Divide: The use of AI tools by women remains limited outside urban centers, causing existing gender inequalities to be mirrored in AI datasets.
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Policy Framing: He stressed the necessity of a gender-sensitive lens when developing policies for Artificial Intelligence to prevent the reinforcement of societal biases.
Ethical Reporting Standards
Senior journalist Swati Gupta outlined critical protocols for reporting on crimes against women, emphasizing:
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Victim Dignity: Ensuring the use of appropriate language and absolute respect for the victim.
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Identity Protection: Prioritizing the legal and ethical requirement to shield the identities of survivors.
The NCW reiterated its commitment to treating the media as a partner in social transformation, aiming to foster a more inclusive and respectful narrative for women across all platforms.
