NHRC Chairman Justice H L Dattu on Wednesday said that media plays an important role in protection of human rights, most significantly by exposing human rights violations. <br />''  <br />'' He was giving the keynote address at the inaugural ceremony of silver jubilee celebrations of NHRC in Delhi's Indian Institute of Mass Communication. <br />''  <br />'' Mr Dattu said, the Commission takes suo motu cognizance after hearing media reports of human rights violations. He said, journalists play an important role in educating people of their rights and act as Human Rights defenders. <br />''  <br />'' In his address, Director General, IIMC, K G Suresh said he is grateful that NHRC decided to collaborate with IIMC for the silver jubilee celebrations. <br />''  <br />'' He added that it is not only an occasion to hail the contributions of NHRC, but also to ponder over how to take the message forward. <br />'' <br />