The Indian Journalists Union National Executive
Meet was held on April 29 and 30 near here.
Inaugurating the conclave, Governor of Odisha Prof Ganeshi Lal
advised mediapersons to restrain them while working as the wat hdogs
of the society. He opined that they should maintain transparency and
accountability to the people of the nation.
As many as a hundred delegates from states like Himachal Pradesh,
Uttarakhand, New Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Bihar, Kerala and
Karnatak assembled here to discuss on the national theme “The role of
media in the changing perspective”.
Veteran Journalists KB Pandit presided over the meeting, while the
octogenarian journalist from Patna Gourishankar Acharya joined as a
guest of honour. Earlier Secretary-General of IJU Merugesh B Sivapuji
presented a brief report while president of Odisha Union of Working
Journalists Sugyan Choudhury delivered the welcome address.
The afternoon siesta had begun at 4.30 pm with Former Ambassador of
India Absar Beuria inaugurating the occasion. Minister for Steel and
Mines Prafulla Kumar Mallik joined as chief guest and former Chief
Secretary Bijay Patnaik as chief speaker. Former Additional Director
General of Police, Gopabandhu Mallick joined as guest of honour. The
veteran dignitaries carried on a two-hour long discussion on the
challenges face by mediamen in the emerging scenario of rapid
digitalisation, web media and social media besides the growing
corporatization of media.
In the concluding session, MP (Rajya Sabha) Dr Amar Patnaik joined as
chief guest and former Vice-Chancellor of Sri Sri University Prof
Kailash Mishra joined as chief speaker. Chief administrative officer of
the Samaja Dr Pravas Acharya was guest of honour. The speakers
emphasized on the role of investigating journalism.
Journalists achieving excellence in their careers were presented with
certificates with honor while the participants were also felicitated.