A deliberation on the topic “Reporting from the sensitive region: A challenge for media” was held on the National Press Day here on Wednesday.
Speakers including district collector Pramod Das stated that the role of media is enormous for the country having true democratic values such as a free society and freedom of expression and speech. They stressed on independent and unbiased reporting by the media.
Deputy Inspector General, Eastern Range, Ghanshyam Upadhay opined that while reporting on sensitive issues from the sensitive zones, the media must be extra careful and there should a coordination between the administration, the police and the media. The media should refrain from presenting distorted news.
Senior journalist and columnist Sugyan Choudhury expressed concern over the politicisation and commercialisation of the media and batted for reforms in the media through concerted efforts of all sections. He urged media representatives to follow the ideals of world personalities, social thinkers and philosophers like Mahatma Gandhi, Plato and Voltaire, who had expressed their views without fear and favour and for positive social changes.
The other speakers, ADM Manmath Pani and ZP President Umilata Das, expressed their views on the importance of the day and laid emphasis on impartial and responsible reporting in this era of globalisation, liberalisation and privatisation. Several journalists also participated in the deliberation.