A CORRESPONDENT
ITANAGAR: The Arunachal Press Club (APC), Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ), and Arunachal Electronic & Digital Media Association (AEDMA) on Thursday observed the fourth death anniversary of senior journalist Taro Chatung at the Press Club here.
Chatung, a state gold medal awardee, was also the founding father of electronic media in the state. He passed away on October 26, 2019, due to cancer at TRIHMS, Naharlagun.
Highlighting Chatung's contribution to the state media, senior journalist Pradeep Kumar Behra said the entire life of Chatung is an inspiration to the journalists of the state. He was a journalist who dared to put straight questions and also a shield for journalists during hard times. Therefore, he appealed to the young journalists to imbibe the quality of journalistic approach from Chatung’s life.
“Though he (Chatung) has left us, his teachings, journalistic skills, approach, and contribution towards the growth of media, especially electronic media will always be remembered and cherished,” he said.
APC Vice President Bengia Ajum also appealed to the journalists to learn to ask straight questions to the authorities with humbleness, wit, and touches of sarcasm. He said that this day is being observed every year to recall how to be a rational journalist like Taro Chatung. One should also know that journalism is not an easy job and hence work with utmost responsibility.
“We should be ready to ask tough questions to the authority concerned, which was one of the inspiring journalistic approaches of Taro Chatung. Therefore, we should imbibe this quality and pass it on to the next,” he said.
APUWJ General Secretary Sonam Jelly said that the union will always remember the founding father of electronic media for his contribution to the growth of media in the state. His sheer dedication, discipline, and vision to lead society toward social harmony through his profession are significant.
Besides observing the death anniversary of Chatung by the three media bodies, APUWJ has also introduced the Taro Chatung Excellence Award for journalists, which is declared after a competition among electronic journalists and presented every year at the National Press Day (NPD) celebration. He appealed to the journalist to be dedicated and passionate about the profession as Chatung did till his last breath.
AEDMA President JT Tagam said that the association will ensure that the day is being observed in a grand manner next year to remember the founding father of electronic media in the state in association with APC and APUWJ.
He also appealed to the media organization, especially the digital media to be responsible and cautious in disseminating news to the public. He raised concern over misinformation and disinformation with the advent of digital media in the state.
Also Watch: