It was the sum total of the views expressed by participant in the seminar on 'Role of Media and consumer protection' organized today at the Press Club of India. It was organized by Consumer Coordination Council in collaboration with GIZ Germany.

In his inauguration speed, the Chief Guest, Anil Anand, Secretary, Press Club of India,said that it was very unfortunate that the consumer movement in India is yet to pick up its momentum. He suggested that it was a high time for media to focus on consumer issues. He said the Indian consumers need strong legislation and quick and effective justice delivery system. Presently, it is cumbersome and it discourages the consumers to raise the issue with the competent authorities.

In her keynote address, Ms Ruth Anna Buettner, Head, GIZ Germany in India told the gathering about what is happening in Germany, and how the consumer movement 'is preventing consumers from exploitation' in the hands of seller of goods and services. She said that media in Germany 'is supporting this movement by providing regular space for consumer issues'. She said that consumer issue should not be looked as individual issues, since these are really mass issues and every consumer suffers from such exploitation.

While welcoming the guests, Amrit Lal Saha, Chairman of the council, gave a brief information about the activities of the council. He said that the council has presence in almost all parts of India, excluding J&K, Uttarakhand and in major of the North East. He said they are working hard to make its presence also in those areas. He emphasized that it would be really tough to protect illiterate and village consumers, however, we are doing our best and the council needs support of the Media.

Vote of thanks was given by M K Reddy, Vice Chairman of the council.

In the second session, non-journalist participants expressed their grievances that media is not doing the things that was needed to protect and support consumers. Journalists expressed their views where they are able to do something. Most of the journalists present there were correspondent, who said that there was not much scope for them because many of the things are decided at editors' and proprietors' level, for example, providing regular space for consumer issues and sparing journalist especially for this area. However, participant journalists felt that consumers in India needed greater protection and support from all corners of the society. They pointed out the there was also lack of committed consumer activists in this country.