Media being the fourth pillar of democracy acts as eyes and ears of the government: Vikas Kundal
Media is the most powerful tool for dissemination of information: Ayushi Puri
Rajouri, March 18, 2023
Press Information Bureau (PIB) Jammu today organized Media Workshop ‘Vartalap’, aimed at building a direct interface between PIB and the journalists working at district and sub-district levels, in district Rajouri. The workshop, organized at Dak Bungalow Rajouri, was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Sh. Vikas Kundal in presence of Joint Director, Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) J&K, Sh. Ghulam Abbas and Deputy Director PIB Jammu, Ms. Ayushi Puri.
In his inaugural address, Sh. Kundal appreciated the efforts of PIB Jammu for organizing the media workshop ‘Vartalap’ in district Rajouri which he termed as the best platform for a dialogue between media and the government. He said that media being the fourth pillar of democracy acts as eyes and ears of the government and such coordination is essential to obtain necessary feedback and address the concerns regarding implementation of the schemes and programmes of the government at the ground level.
He also presented the developmental scenario of the district and informed the gathering about the progress being made under various Central Government schemes and initiatives like PMAY, Jal Jeevan Mission etc. in the district.
Ms Ayushi Puri, in her address, said that media is the most powerful tool for dissemination of information. Besides focusing on investigative journalism, media should also focus on development journalism, she added. She later stressed on media ethics and code of conduct for journalists before reporting on various issues.
Addressing the gathering, Sh. Abbas said, the media units of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in Jammu and Kashmir are playing a pivotal role in the dissemination of information of the government schemes and programmes at the grass root level through different programs organized throughout Jammu and Kashmir by PIB, CBC, AIR and DD.
Additional Superintendent of Police, Rajouri, Vivek Shekhar Sharma speaking on the media sensitivity in border districts said that media in the border districts of J&K must cross check facts with proper analysis before publishing the news in print, electronic and digital media. Breaking news syndrome sometimes has a cascading effect which can prove harmful to the security of the state, he added. He stressed that media must call for the queries especially during sensitive situations and must not publish the news in the real-time for monetary gains that can have negative repercussions.
District Information Officer, Rajouri, Narinder Raina in his address highlighted the achievements of the district under various schemes and programmes of the government. He also stressed that media code of conduct for journalists must be kept in mind before reporting on an event.
Assistant Director, CAPD, Mohamad Arif Lone in his address said that media, being the best interface between the government and the citizens, can play a vital role in consumer sensitization. He added that media must spread awareness regarding ‘Consumer Protection Act’ which deals with matters relating to violation of consumer’s rights, unfair trade practices, misleading advertisements, and all those circumstances which are prejudicial to the consumer’s rights.
Sh. Sheikh Mudasir Amin, Media & Communications Officer, PIB Jammu welcomed media and the guests and also presented vote of thanks.
The technical sessions were followed by an interactive question-answer session in which journalists expressed their grievances, talked to the experts and cleared their doubts regarding various issues pertaining to them. The journalists also thanked PIB for organizing the workshop and expressed hope that more such workshops would be conducted in future.
