By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: A two day orientation programme for working journalists of Meghalaya is being held in the city where journalists are provided with a hands on experience about the legislative proceedings of the parliament.
The orientation programme is being organized jointly by the Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training and the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Secretariat.
Speaking at the inaugural function, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker, AT Mondal said that the media is the backbone of democracy and it helps the Government to function in a correct manner.
According to Mondal, the orientation programme would provide many inputs to working journalists to report in a more correct way.
The programme also aims to promote and provide for parliamentary studies with special reference to comparative studies of rules and procedures of legislatures in the country and also to undertake and facilitate various study courses in matters relating to convention and practices, parliamentary procedures and legislative drafting.
Earlier, adviser of the Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training Rashid Alvi stressed that everyone should understand democracy as India is a democratic country.
“If media understands democracy, it can be conveyed to the entire country,” he said while addressing the gathering.
While applauding the MLAs of Meghalaya for being disciplined, he also asserted that around 100 MPs out of 800 MPs actively participate in the business of Parliament as they are aware about the procedures.
He however also asked media to report responsibly without crossing the ‘Laxman Rekha’ as the image of the parliament is on the decline.
Several working journalist from Shillong and neighbouring districts attended the first day of the programme.