A media meet was organised here on Tuesday at campus of Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal. Around 75 health journalists from Bhopal, and online from Khandwa, Rewa and Noida campus of the University attended it. This was part of joint work of Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication and UNICEF to increase evidence based reporting in area of Public Health. The theme of meet was on new born care.
Speaking at the meet Former Vice Chancellor of Kushabhau Thakarey Journalism University Mansingh Parmar said that objective of journalism should be 'Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah'. It can be materialized only when we create awareness. Journalism should always have feeling of public welfare. Appreciating media's role in Covid-19 period, he said, media in India prevented wrong and misinformation.
Keynote speaker senior journalist Girish Upadhyay underlined the need of evidence based journalism. He said, it is important that media is shared with information in time and openly so that correct information will reach public through media.
Deputy Director, Child Health, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Manish Singh made presentation on new born care, the challenges being faced and efforts of the State on child health to reduce child mortality. He also spoke as how delay at family level, in seeking support from health facility is one of the main reasons for child deaths and with increased awareness this can help in further addressing the challenge of infant and child mortality in Madhya Pradesh.
Dr Vandana Bhatia, Health Specialist, UNICEF, shared that media can help by creating awareness of Government schemes and facilities for different levels, of care for early identification and age appropriate referrals for newborns and children.
Anil Gulati, UNICEF Communication Specialist, it is important that we take these efforts of evidence based reporting to district level. Coordinator LB Ojha shed light on the objectives of the workshop. Assistant Professor Arun Khobarey conducted the programme and Registrar Avinash Bajpai proposed the vote of thanks.
Earlier, Vice Chancellor Prof KG Suresh said, Universities have social responsibility and this workshop is part of it. Health reporting is a serious matter and there is no place for misinformation and incorrect information in it because it directly affects common man. Today, it seems infodemic is more dangerous to pandemic because identifying correct information has become difficult now.