Jammu, March 23 (Scoop News) – N. N. Vohra, Governor, and Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, have stressed the importance of newspapers reporting fair and objective news, and reflected in the right perspective.
“You may act as prosecutors but passing judgments and jumping to conclusions is in no way the role of the press. When the story upon which media has passed judgment turns otherwise, it cannot be reversed, as the damage is already done”, the Chief Minister observed.
Welcoming valid criticism on issues of governance, protection of Fundamental Rights, public service delivery and the functioning of institutions, the Governor underlined the importance of ensuring that news reporting and analysis is based on facts and entirely without any prejudice or prefixed agendas.
The Governor and the Chief Minister were addressing a function organized by The Tribune Trust to launch “Jammu Tribune” here on Friday. The Governor was the Chief Guest at the function where the Chief Minister launched the “Jammu Tribune”.
Both the Governor and the Chief Minister, referring to the growth of IT sector and instant news availability to people through electronic devices, observed that this has generated a tremendous challenge for the print media to maintain its relevance.
The Governor and the Chief Minister called for early launch of Srinagar Tribune to ensure adequate coverage of news and events in the two regions of the State. The Governor also stressed the importance of adequate coverage of the vast Ladakh region.
The Governor observed that the role of media in a democracy is that of a watchdog. “Like the Legislature, the print media has the responsibility of examining the performance of the Executive and highlighting public issues”, he said, adding that the reports in the media help in compelling the governments to take action on issues relating to governance, human rights, fundamental rights and other matters of public interest. However, he said that any judgment about right and wrong must be left to those concerned, without jumping to hasty conclusions and pronouncing verdicts.
The Governor said that there has been a growing trend, over the past years, of the media arriving at hasty conclusions and passing judgments on varied issues. He expressed the hope that the practice of objective news reporting and balanced analysis of events will be strictly followed by the media.
The Governor said that critical analysis of issues relating to education, health, economic and social development and other matters of public importance can be of immense use. “Your fair analysis of events can contribute to having a well informed citizenry”, the Governor said, adding that this can also help the leaders to visualize the course of future events.
Lauding the Tribune Management for launch of Jammu Tribune, the Governor impressed upon the Management to stick to the highest standards of professional journalism, with all reporting being fair and unbiased. He also laid stress on early launch of Srinagar Tribune to ensure effective coverage of events and happenings in the Valley, Leh, Kargil, Zanskar and other remote and border areas.
The Governor congratulated the Management of the newspaper for yet another milestone in its 131 years of journey in the field of journalism and news publication. He wished the Tribune Management high success in its new endeavour.
The Chief Minister described media as one of the important pillars of democracy and highlighted its impact on the minds of people. He said that media now-a-days has become a mentor, investigator and prosecutor, but it should leave the role of judge to the people. “There are so many examples before us where media passes judgments and the facts ultimately prove differently. This is the point which pinches the shoe”, he said, adding that the passing of judgments without ascertaining facts, and biased projection of reports and individual slants is the cause for sleepless nights and not fair and truthful reporting.
The Chief Minister also expressed surprise over the hypes created by media on certain issues and remaining totally quiet when the facts are proved otherwise. He gave the example of the children of an NRI couple in
The Chief Minister also referred to the instant news reporting by electronic media and said that this scenario has thrown a great challenge on print media. He said in order to meet this challenge and maintain popularity among readers the print media has to prove prudent, vibrant, informative, educative and relevant.
Omar Abdullah praised The Tribune Trust for its new initiative in bringing out “Jammu Tribune” and said that the people had waited for this ‘good news’ for a long time. “I am happy that Jammu and Kashmir would get good coverage and fair reporting will mark the standard of the paper”, he said, adding that the Delhi editions of various newspapers give not more than half a page to the events taking place in the State. He wished success and continuous progress to The Tribune.
The Chief Minister highlighted the need for early launch of “Srinagar Tribune”, saying that the people will miss it at the breakfast table when the offices soon move to summer capital. He expressed the hope that the Srinagar Tribune will hit the stalls soon and give fullest coverage to the happenings in the State, especially in the Valley and other parts of the Division.
Justice (Retd) S. S. Sodhi, Trustee, The Tribune Trust, in his speech gave historical background and the growth of The Tribune during the past 131 years. He said that The Tribune has maintained objectivity in its reporting of events, as was envisioned by S. Dayal Singh Majithia, its founder.
Raj Chengappa, Editor-in-Chief, The Tribune, in his Welcome Address, said that Jammu Tribune has been launched with a view to give adequate coverage to the happenings in the region.
Sanjay Hazari, General Manager, The Tribune Trust, presented a Vote of Thanks.
Mrs. Usha Vohra, First Lady, Amrit Malhotra, Chairman, Legislative Council, Ministers, Abdul Rahim Rather, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Ghulam Hassan Mir, R. S. Chib, Sham Lal Sharma, Abdul Gani Malik, S. S. Slathia, Devender Sing Rana, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister, Legislators, Kuldeep Khoda, Director General of Police, Prof. M. P. S. Ishar, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University, John Samuel, Chief Post Master General, J&K Circle, senior officers, political leaders, media persons and prominent citizens were present among others.
S. S. Mehta and Naresh Mohan, Trustees of the Tribune Trust, Jammu Bureau Staff and Kashmir Bureau Chief Ehsan Fajli participated in the function.
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