State-level media awareness programme held at Mahajati Sadan with the support of PIB and International Justice Mission
Screen N Stagez, Kolkata by AG:
Journalists from Kolkata and different districts of West Bengal came together at Mahajati Sadan on September 12 for a state-level media awareness programme focusing on two serious social issues—human trafficking and bonded labour. The State Media Conclave, organised by the United Journalist Forum, sought to highlight the important role of journalists and the media in creating public awareness and bringing such issues to wider public attention.
The programme was held at the NX Building of Mahajati Sadan under the patronage of the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Kolkata, with the cooperation of the International Justice Mission (IJM).
Welcoming the guests and participating journalists, United Journalist Forum Secretary Krishnendu Dutta outlined the purpose and objectives of the awareness programme. He emphasised the need for journalists to remain informed about human trafficking and bonded labour and to use responsible, fact-based journalism to highlight the plight of affected people and create greater social awareness.
The event was attended by several distinguished personalities, including Shantanu Sinha, Administrative Officer, PIB Kolkata, Office Assistant Tanushree Pal, Priya Abraham of International Justice Mission, Sudipta Chowdhury, Chief Correspondent of PTI, and Shiv Sahay Singh, West Bengal Bureau Chief of The Hindu, among others.
The speakers discussed various aspects of human trafficking and bonded labour, including their social and humanitarian consequences. They stressed the importance of awareness, administrative action and responsible reporting in addressing these issues.
Representatives of the International Justice Mission, including Richard Paris and Debarshi Chatterjee, spoke about the organisation’s awareness initiatives relating to human trafficking and bonded labour at the state, national and international levels.
One of the notable features of the conclave was a Baul musical presentation highlighting the plight of victims of human trafficking and bonded labour. Baul artistes Ganesh Chandra Roy and Moumita Pal used their music to present the serious social issues in a culturally rooted and impactful manner.
The organisers also invited two people who had been freed from bonded labour to the stage. They shared their personal experiences and spoke about the difficult circumstances they had endured. Their accounts brought a human dimension to the discussions and deeply moved those present.
Speakers at the conclave called for stronger administrative measures against human trafficking and the continuation of efforts to eliminate bonded labour. They also urged journalists to give greater attention to such issues and contribute to wider public awareness through responsible journalism.
The three-hour programme was conducted by United Journalist Forum Treasurer Prabal Kumar Chakraborty. The session concluded with a brief address by Forum President Sumit Palit. Special certificates were also presented to the participating journalists.
The State Media Conclave underlined the significance of the media’s role in bringing attention to human trafficking and bonded labour and in strengthening public awareness about these serious social concerns.
– Screen N Stagez