Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Monday stressed upon media for credible and factual reporting to meet the day-to-day challenges in a positive way, especially with the changing trend of reporting and use of digital technology and reach of social media.
Presiding over the National Press Day function organised by department of Information and Public Relations on the theme ‘The Impact and Import of Cartooning and Caricature as a Medium of Expression of Opinion’, here, he said the National Press Day was
symbolic of a free and responsible Press in India.
Extending his felicitations to the journalistic fraternity on the occasion, the Chief Minister said news was an important part of life today and had much impact on the lives of the people. The Press which was the fourth pillar of democracy has enormous responsibility on it for serving and analysing the correct reporting, he said.
Virbhadra Singh said the Indian media by and large was very responsible and this had to be maintained at every cost as it was the basic strength of our democracy.
He announced enhancement in the National Development Journalism awards given by Himachal Pradesh Government every year from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh and State award from Rs 40,000 to Rs 75,000. He also announced increase
in amount for electronic media to Rs 50,000 and district level development journalism awards to Rs 50,000 as well.
Information & Public Relations Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said the Congress Government had started the development journalism awards and after a gap of few years and the Government will distribute these awards shortly.
Director, Information and Public Relations, Dr. MP Sood welcomed the Chief Minister and other guests on the occasion and detailed about the importance of the National Press day.