Senior journalists and media representatives from Odisha participated in the All India Media Conference 2026, organised by the Election Commission of India (ECI) at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi.
The conference brought together media professionals, editors and election officials from across the country to discuss the media’s role in promoting transparent elections, strengthening democratic institutions and encouraging informed voter participation.
Chief Election Commissioner Highlights Transparency in Elections
Addressing the gathering, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar said India’s electoral process is conducted strictly in accordance with the Constitution of India, election laws and the guidelines issued by the Election Commission from time to time.
He emphasised that the entire election process is subject to continuous review and auditing by all key stakeholders, ensuring transparency, accountability and public trust.
Record Voter Turnout Reflects Public Confidence
The Chief Election Commissioner noted that the record voter turnout in the recently concluded Assembly elections reflects the strong confidence Indian citizens have in the country’s electoral system.
He also thanked voters across the country for their participation in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of the electoral rolls, describing it as an important exercise for maintaining accurate voter lists.
Conference Focuses on Media’s Role in Democracy
The primary objective of the conference was to provide media professionals with a deeper understanding of India’s election management system and the role of various stakeholders, including political parties, candidates and election officials.
The discussions focused on how responsible journalism can promote transparency, improve voter awareness and strengthen democratic values.
This year’s conference theme was:
“Connecting Stakeholders, Strengthening Democracy: The Role of Media in Elections.”
ECI Calls Media a Vital Partner
Ashish Goel, Director General (Media) at the Election Commission of India, described the media as an important stakeholder in the electoral process and a vital bridge between the Election Commission and voters.
He highlighted the importance of timely, factual and impartial reporting in helping citizens make informed electoral decisions.
Training on Fact-Checking and Countering Misinformation
A key session of the conference focused on combating misinformation and fake news circulated through social media and other digital platforms during elections.
Participants received training on:
- Verifying election-related information before publication
- Identifying misinformation and misleading content
- Promoting fact-based journalism
- Enhancing voter awareness through credible reporting
- Supporting transparency during electoral processes
The Election Commission also encouraged media organisations to maintain the highest standards of credibility and verify information before publishing or broadcasting election-related news.
Senior Journalists Share Insights
Prominent journalists and editors from different parts of India exchanged views on election reporting, responsible journalism, voter engagement and the media’s role in safeguarding democratic values.
The conference highlighted the importance of strengthening public trust through accurate, balanced and ethical reporting.
Odisha Delegation Participates
A delegation of nine senior journalists from Odisha, led by Dinamani Naik from the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha, participated in the national conference.
Prominent journalists and editors from different parts of India exchanged views on election reporting, responsible journalism, voter engagement and the media’s role in safeguarding democratic values.
The conference highlighted the importance of strengthening public trust through accurate, balanced and ethical reporting.
Odisha Delegation Participates
A delegation of nine senior journalists from Odisha, led by Dinamani Naik from the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha, participated in the national conference.
The delegation included:
- Jyoti Prakash Das
- Ravi Narayan Jena
- Ajit Dehuri
- Choudhury Amitabh Das
- Shaktisai Mishra
- Mukesh Ranjan Parida
- Jajati Karan
- Abhijit Samantaray
- Yajati Keshari Rout
Their participation reflects Odisha’s continued engagement in promoting ethical journalism and strengthening democratic awareness.
