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Shimla,,
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal has expressed concern over the deterioration of values in all sections of the society and said that this had led to crisis of credibility. He said that media persons would have to take a lead, being fourth pillar of democracy and watch dog of other three pillars viz. Legislatures, Executive and Judiciary. He was inaugurating two day long meeting of Governing Body of Indian Media Centre (IMC) on ‘Media Needs Regulations or Self Regulation’ organised at Chandigarh today.
Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal said that this was the biggest challenge before the media fraternity and if timely steps were not taken, this would prove detrimental to the society. He complemented the Indian Media Centre for striving hard for making excellence in profession through its painstaking efforts.
Chief Minister said that Media had always played an important role may be Freedom Movement or National reconstruction and added that he was hopeful that now it would again play the same role in inculcating values so essential for the success of the democracy. He deplored the tendency of suppression of press but added that the changing trends in media was also a matter of concern. He said that paid news and breaking news was not good for healthy growth of the society and was putting question mark on the creditability of the media. Dissemination of wrong facts some times leads to disaster and need of the hour was to dissuade from such practices in the larger interest of the public good, he added.
Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal favoured healthy criticism and said that this help in taking corrective measures. He said that there was a time when comments of media used to be taken seriously and as guidance but for that matter media will help to maintain the standard for which it was known.
Chief Minister said that he was for better working conditions for the media persons which would also go a long way in maintaining professional excellence as well as ethics. He said that his Government in Himachal Pradesh has taken various decisions to ensure better working conditions for media persons including free travel facility in State Transport Buses. He said from this year, the State Government has decided to cover journalists under Health Insurance so that they do not find any problem in treatment in case of illness. He said that State Government has also set up a Journalists Welfare Fund to help journalists in distress.
Dr. Chandan Mitra, MP and Chairman, IMC said that he had always stressed for ideals and values in the profession of the journalism. He said that paid news and sting operation should be debated as this had led to deterioration of the fourth pillar of democracy. He said that the lead taken by Indian Media Centre for preserving the professional ethics should be appreciated by one and all so as to strengthen this noble movement.
Shri Shyam Khosla, Director, Indian Media Centre in his opening remarks said that Media was passing through critical phase and the only way to overcome it was to maintain the professional ethics. He said that it was unfortunate that good news has disappeared which was not a healthy sign for profession.
Shri P.C. Dogra, former Director General of Police, Punjab and Vice Chairman of IMC proposed vote of thanks and Prof. K.N. Pathak, former Vice Chancellor, Punjab University and Chairman IMC welcomed the Chief Minister and others distinguished guests.
