Conventional indeed!
The CII meet on Media Unconvention was most conventional. At least, it is the general consensus among a wide spectrum of journalists who covered the event. For one thing time schedules went awry be it in terms of organising press meets or in coordinating with the media. Zee TV Network chairman, Mr Subhash Chandra's meeting with press persons was delayed by more than an hour, not an unconventional thing in the context of the event. Journalists were also taken a back, when Mr Arun Jaitley, union minister for law, justice and company affairs, started with the remarks that `I have nothing new to say' but went on to talk for more than an hour.Sawal dus crore ka?
Is it the KBC effect? One wondered as one saw Zee TV boss, Mr Subhash Chandra lose a bit of his usual urbane composure at the conference. As the chairman of the CII national committee on media, Mr Subhash Chandra had (in his own words) expressed a desire to step down and seemed a little chagrined that this did not happen. But he hoped that at least next year the CII would chose a chairman from South India. Will CII heed to Mr Subhash Chandra's request? It is a million dollar question.
Old is gold?
The scribes, who generally do not concur others point of view, however, did change this unwritten rule and burst into a spontaneous applause when Mr Ronnie Screwvala, the UTV honcho made the remark that the new media would not replace old media. The battery of journalists assembled in the conference hall were seen rejoicing at this comment. Will Mr Screwvala prove right? Privileged Purie!
Ironical it seems. While the reporters and lens men from the press seem vying each other to dig out exclusive and interviews to keep the boss in good humour, hardly any of the big names in the print media found their way to the speakers list in Media UnConvention conference. Only Mr Aroon Purie chaired a session. Does it sound unconventional?
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