STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Assam Press Correspondents’ Union (APCU) observed National Press Day with a day-long programme at Guwahati Press Club on Saturday.
The programme started with flag hoisting by APKU central committee president Manoj Singh. APCU working president Mousam Jyoti Baishya and secretary-general Hemanta Saikia started the National Press Day programme by paying tribute to the 32 journalists killed from 1991 till now and demanded re-investigation of the cases and punishment for the murderers.
APCU felicitated three of the journalists Achyut Kumar Patowary, chief Associate editor of Asomiya Pratidin ; Deep Jyoti Goswami, chief news editor of Dainik Janambhumi and senior photojournalist of The Sentinel Rajib Bhattacharya for their continuous and selfless service in the field of journalism.
Present on the occasion, ADC Kamrup (M) Bidyut Bikash Bhagawati stated that Journalism and newspaper strengthens the base of democracy. Bhagawati said that there is need for introspection, otherwise the contradicting news that we often witness can affect the justice delivery system, because such news are already affecting the reliability and acceptability on modern day journalism.
Also present on the occasion, District Information Officer, Kamrup (M) Ratan Saud stated that a difference has come into the scenario where journalism has become more like an industry. Stating that a good picturization is important for a journalist and that journalists must be studious, Saud also said that news can be authentic when a journalist follows the social responsibility.
A souvenir Abiroto Jatra published by APCU Kamrup district committee was also inaugurated. Senior journalist Prakash Mahanta and Chief secretary of Guwahati Press Club Naba Thakuria formally inaugurated the souvenir. Speaking on the occasion Prakash Mahanta expressed his thought on the threat and challenges coming to journalists and newspapers as well. Mahanta said that the challenges are affecting the practice of free and fare journalism. Naba Thakuria in his speech expressed his thought on the misuse of social media platform. Thakuria said, “Professional journalism can never be long lasting.”