ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein asserted on Thursday that the state government is committed to looking after the welfare of the media fraternity in the state. Addressing the National Press Day celebration at the Arunachal Press Club (APC) here, Mein said that the government had implemented many programmes and policies for the welfare of journalists working in the state, including the introduction of the journalists’ welfare corpus fund to assist working scribes and their families with medical treatment. "The journalist pension scheme is under process, and we are committed to implementing it. Moreover, an advertisement policy for newspapers is in place to support the media houses, and funds for advertising are allocated every year,” he said.
The deputy chief minister added that a separate advertisement policy for electronic media has been approved and the government has sanctioned funds for the construction of the APC building, which was completed last year. “Our government will continue to support and look into the welfare of the journalists serving in the state, and together we will build a new Arunachal Pradesh,” Mein said.
Stating that media played a vital role in the growth of a society, Mein added that for a strong democracy, a strong media house and journalism are also essential, who, without fear and favour, without partiality and bias, deliver genuine news and correct information to the people. “Media also acts as the mirror of society, whose reports and stories reflect various aspects of society. In other ways, what you broadcast or highlight also reflects the image of society and creates such an image for the outside world regarding our society. That is where responsible journalism comes into play,” he said. The deputy chief minister added that sometimes critical and analytical reporting also helps to open the eyes of the government, and it is through the media that the government learns about the actual situation in different parts of the state. “When we seriously ponder about the works of a journalist, it is not only challenging but tough too, especially in a large state like Arunachal Pradesh, where the climate and topography are difficult, where the places are unreachable, and in some parts where people are still not so educated and the society is complex,” he pointed out.
Despite all the challenges and difficulties we faced in the state, the media had come a long way and grew into a big family, he added. Information and Public Relations Minister Bamang Felix, speaking on the occasion, urged the media persons to reflect on whether they are really performing their duties as per the laid-down norms and ethics. “Media should be committed to service to society without any biases,” he said, adding that the state government has tried its best since 2013 to bring reformation to the media industry, and many more plans and policies are in the pipeline.
Advisor to IPR Laisam Simai, in his address, lauded the media for doing wonderful jobs in the state despite all odds. “Media in the state is growing from strength to strength, and they have a key role in unlocking possibilities in socio-economic and political development in the state,” Simai pointed out. On this occasion, three scribes from electronic media were awarded the Taro Chatung Media Award for their investigative, political and governance, and human interest stories, respectively.
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