GUWAHATI, Nov 16 - A vigilant media is a prerequisite to keep a democratic society robust and healthy, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said today and asserted that media must make the government accountable before the public and constructive criticism is necessary to keep the government on track.
Speaking at the State-level programme of National Press Day 2020 organised by Information and Public Relations Department at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra here, Sonowal said during the COVID-19 pandemic, media persons always stayed at the forefront and did not shy away from their duty to get news for people, even at the risk of their health.
Admitting that the media sector has lots of problems and COVID-19 pandemic also impacted it negatively along with other sectors, the Chief Minister said that the State government has been taking various steps for the welfare of the journalist fraternity and would launch more such schemes in the future as well. The Chief Minister also referred to his visits to 36 districts during the trying times of coronavirus-induced lockdown and appreciated the role played by media personnel which he witnessed during those visits.
Along with the health department, which had the most crucial responsibility during the entire pandemic situation, and other agencies like police, PHED, fire brigade, power department, etc., media personnel also played key part in dissemination of information among the public and acted as a bridge between the government and the public, Sonowal said. He also urged the media to curb incidence of fear mongering and fake news during crisis situations.
He thanked the media for its support to the State government in the crusade against corruption and urged it to highlight the government�s initiatives to protect the natural environment of Assam and motivate the youngsters to contribute in this mission.
Media adviser to the Chief Minister, Hrishikesh Goswami also spoke on the occasion and referred to the adage of �pen is mightier than the sword� to drive home his point that media must exercise caution while using its power as it has tremendous responsibility of guiding the society. He also appreciated the role played by media personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic and paid tributes to those journalists who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
Senior professor and head of mass communication and journalism department, Tezpur University Dr Joya Chakraborty, in her keynote address, underlined the service rendered by the media while acting as the connection between the government and the governed during coronavirus lockdown period and stressed on the need for specific training for journalists in fields such as health reporting, etc.
She pointed out slipups in communication of crucial messages by few media houses during the pandemic situation that led to unwanted situations while also throwing light on job loss, pay cuts, ad revenue loss, etc., in the media sector during the year. Financial stability of journalists must be ensured by the media houses for facilitating ethical journalism, she added.
On the occasion of National Press Day 2020, the Chief Minister felicitated writer-lyricist Eli Ahmed, sports journalist Premadhar Sarma, journalists Mahesh Chandra Medhi, Tapas Samaddar, Ranjit Kumar Sarma and Kunja Mohan Roy for their contribution to the field of journalism and literature in the State.
