Media should inform public regarding government schemes – Union minister
Union Minister of Culture, Tourism and DONER, G. Kishan Reddy said the government is introducing several development programmes for the welfare of the public, with the sole purpose of benefitting the people and any anomalies in implementation at the field level can be rectified with the initiative and active participation of local journalists. He said, the role of journalists is very important in conveying government’s welfare measures to the people and called for journalists to take part in development programmes.
Mr. G. Kishan Reddy, who was the chief guest at the Vartalap (Journalists Workshop) programme organized by the Press Information Office, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, inaugurated the programme and addressed the gathering. He said like police and politicians, the Press (Journalists), cannot relax and had to work and be vigilant 24X7 irrespective of festivals and holidays, they are all constantly working for the welfare of the people in the society. He added that the role of journalists is more crucial in this process. Like doctors who are responsible for the healthcare and teachers for education, he compared to of having unique responsibility towards society, to act as a bridge between the people and the Government, besides making society aware of the realities.
Appreciating the Press Information Bureau of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for organizing Vartalap programme for the media to inform the public about government schemes, he opined that journalists should take an active initiative to inform people about the government schemes to the public in order to make them aware of and benefit from by utilising them. These are the clarifications. The minister further added that criticizing is the most important feature of democracy and suggested that journalists should criticize whenever necessary and appreciate good programmes at the same time. Referring to the role played by people and journalists in the success of the Swachh Bharat programme, the Union Minister said that everyone should move forward with a positive attitude.
On this occasion, Mr. Kishan Reddy mentioned the New India Samachar, a fortnightly magazine published by the Central Bureau of Communication under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, stated that the magazine provides all necessary factual information pertaining to Central government schemes and this magazine is beneficial for information sharing inviting positive criticism on Government programmes. He said journalists in rural areas should be more vigilant to inform people about the details of government schemes and guide them from behind. He added that this is not only for journalists, but it is the minimum responsibility of all. Referring to the many schemes of the Central Government, viz., Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Swachh Bharat, Mid-Day Meal Scheme for Children, Mission Indradhanush, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bhima Yojana, Soil Health Card, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwal Yojana, the minister said that every party provides development-oriented programmes for the sake of people regardless of politics, ideologies. He laid emphasis on journalism and journalists, which promotes development.
Members of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council Mr. Vakati Narayana Reddy, Trainee I.A.S. Kumari Vidyadhari, State Secretary of Andhra Pradesh Working Journalist Union Shri Jayaprakash, officials and journalists from Nellore, participated in the workshop.
