GUWAHATI, April 17 - The special daily fact-check programme Pratirodh hosted by the Regional News Unit, AIR Guwahati, has emerged as a popular forum among the masses, especially those living in the rural areas, for keeping themselves updated on the various developments concerning the spread of COVID-19, besides cross-checking facts vis-�-vis the surge in misinformation across social media.
�This has turned out to be a very popular programme, judging by the response from the masses. We get lots of queries on the various aspects of COVID-19 as well as the dos and don�ts,� Manas Pratim Sarma, News Editor, said.
The programme has also come in handy for many in distress during the pandemic.
�Once we were doing a live phone-in programme when a listener from Darrang district sought help and the next day a team of Assam Police did the needful for him,� he said.
Protirodh has also effectively been used to bust rumours and present the true picture before the people.
�We connect the listeners with officials and ministers so that they can get the proper message. We also air audio message of citizens on the lockdown and reply questions through audio messages by experts. Once there was a rumour that the money of senior citizens would be taken away if it was not withdrawn. We connected the listeners live to the SBI AGM (PR) and countered the rumour effectively,� Sarma added.
The Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) also broadcasts Pratirodh through FLS in residential areas to reach out to more people.
Among other things, the listeners are also engaged on a positive note through items such as live quiz. Questions are asked by the listeners during interactive programmes and they can give answers through WhatsApp or SMS. The co-anchors of the programme are � Pompi Devi and Arunima Goswami. The programme section of AIR Guwahati is also conducting COVID-19-related programmes daily.
