#nimcar

The Gujarat model of the ascension of the RSS and its political wing BJP is all set to be replicated in the media and journalism field. And once again, Gujarat will feature prominently in it. An RSS-promoted trust will spend Rs 100 crore to set up a national media institute in Gujarat across a 10-acre campus equipped with the technologically advanced studio, Media Research Centre, Media Museum and other facilities with the aim to transform media and communication education in India.

The RSS-promoted trust, VSEF, already runs a media institute in Ahmedabad since 2007 via National Institute of Mass Communication and Journalism (NIMCJ). It will be amalgamated intoNational Institute of Mass Communication and Research (NIMCaR) that will come up in Hajipur village, about 32 km from Ahmedabad.

The ground-breaking ceremony for the institute was held on February 2019 and NIMCaR will become operational by 2021. Sources said the purpose of the institute is to prepare journalists that can take on left-leaning intellectuals in the print and electronic media.

What experts say

Achyut Yagnik, a Gujarat-based political scientist, told Mirror: “Media is a powerful tool that helps build public opinion. What better way to do it than prepare an army of journalists who can go out and do it. The journalism institute will help the Sangh Parivar create its cadre in the field of media. RSS is into spreading Hindutva and its aim is the creation of Hindu Rashtra (nation). The media institute is just another step in that direction.”

Urvish Kothari, a senior journalist, said: “It is the democratic right of an individual or a group of individuals to open any institute. It is equally important that such institutes ensure that the core values of journalism are not inversed. In any institute, a journalist should be taught not to forget his role to expose the government, irrespective of party or ideology. For positive news, there is always an information department in any government.” Bharat Pandya, Gujarat BJP spokesperson, said: “This institute is in the media field for the last few years. Its expansion using advance technology will promote positive journalism.