SHILLONG: National Press Day was observed in Shillong on Saturday. Assembly Speaker and Chief Guest at the function, Mr AT Mondal while addressing media persons at the inaugural function, underscored the need for accuracy in journalism in the interest of the public.
Mondal said that while media draws its strength from Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution which guarantees freedom of speech and expression to every citizen which includes the media, it does not give media the right to breach the privacy of an individual.
He urged media persons to follow the rules of ethical journalism.
The Assembly Speaker stated that media should be factually correct as far as possible while disseminating information to the people.
While terming media and democracy as two sides of the coin, Mondal also spoke on the trend of opinion polls being conducted by media houses on several issues. “There should be a debate whether such polls are authenticated,” Mondal said.
He even pointed out that it is difficult to ascertain the authenticity of such polls in India where literacy rate is still average and where peoples’ minds fluctuate.
Stating that the responsibility of media increases before elections Mr Mondal said, “In the west people are educated and informed and make their decisions well ahead of the polls. They remain consistent in their political stances but in India people change their minds depending on what they see on the ground. If a road suddenly comes up in their area they will vote the person who brings that road,” Mr Mandal pointed out.
He also cautioned media persons not to suspect all government schemes but to also see the bright side of things as criticism could negate development projects.
Earlier, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Sanjay Goyal stated that the media is expected to follow high standards while discharging their duties.
While asserting that press is not hampered by any restrictions and threats, he dwelt on the role of local media saying that it has more reach and readership than national media.
The inaugural session was followed by a brief training programme from eminent media scholar, Dr Aloke Thakore who spoke on the basics of news reporting and stated that for journalists, ‘accuracy’ is God and fair reporting a fundamental principle.
Dr Thakore said journalism is a good conversation with society adding that it is the duty of the media to give the public all facets of an issue while reporting it to facilitate an enlightened debate so that readers can make their own choices.”
A writing competition was organised for three categories one each for English and Khasi language media and one for broadcast media.
At the closing function, Additional Chief Secretary, PBO Warjri pointed to the devastating role of the electronic media especially for children. “ Television blunts the child’s creativity and robs society of potentially creative minds,” Warjri said adding that television also influences )the children’s choice of food which is often unhealthy.
He also pointed to the media’s role in objectifying women which he says is the cause for violence perpetrated on women. Warjri stressed on editorial integrity as an uncompromising asset and said that truth which corresponds to reality extracts a price.
Mr Paul Lyngdoh, MLA who has been a regular attendant at National Press Day functions said that many theories and stories dished out by the media should be taken with a pinch of salt as reliability is often questionable.
“There should be healthy competition among newspapers to ensure quality. Monopoly in media will ensure its destruction,” Lyngdoh said adding that at a time when the country is convulsing due to crises of confidence in the system the media must shine the light where there is confusion and doubt without underestimating the intelligence of the readers.
“The political class should resist the temptation to give fishing rods to journalists but let them catch their own fish,” Lyngdoh he
Chief Guest at the closing function, Home Minister Roshan Warjri said if college lecturers and university professors have regular refresher courses the media too needs regular training and revamping. She reminded the scribes that they are the flag bearers of national secularism.
Warjri called for accuracy in reporting and exhorted media persons to do a research on the stories they write.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Role of the media in serving public interest” Many journalists from the city as well as other parts of the state attended the National Press Day celebration.