National Press Day celebrated across Assam amid COVID-19 pandemic

Correspondents

BONGAIGAON: Chirang district joined the rest of the nation in observing National Press Day on Monday. The programme was jointly organized by the District Information and Public Relations Officer (DIPRO), Chirang and Chirang District Press Club (CDPC) at the office premises of DIPRO here at Dangagaon.

During the open session, attending as chief guest, Additional Deputy Commissioner Ringkhang Mushahary expressed his gratitude to the journalists. He hailed the journalists of Chirang district for maintaining good relationship with the district administration as well as for their tremendous help during the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the district.

A key note address on the theme provided by the Press Council of India - 'Role of media during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on media'- was delivered by senior journalist and secretary, Chirang District Press Club, JayantaDebnath. The programme chaired by Amrit Narayan Patgiri, was also addressed by Gagan Narzary, DIPRO, Chirang and Abu Bakkar Siddiqui, i/c president, CDPC.

Apart from this, flag hoisting and swahidtarpan were also done by Abu BakkarSiddiqui, i/c president, and JayantaDebnath, secretary, CDPC, in the presence of other journalists and officials of DIPRO office.

GOALPARA: The Goalpara district journalists association, Goalpara Press Club and several other organizations took out a protest rally on Monday on the main streets of Goalpara town. Shouting slogans against the recent atrocities and tortures on media persons in the State, the journos demanded security and justice.

MANGALDAI: "The basic responsibility of the Press is to provide information, education and entertainment. The Press is also responsible for providing accurate information to people to make them well-informed and to help them in becoming members of the civil society. The Press has also a direct and inevitable relation with democracy as the source of journalism is based on the 'right to freedom of expression' and that is the reason that the Press should always give preference to public interest, not the interest of the government. At the same time, the Press should maintain utmost care and responsibility to avoid disinformation and misinformation which may have adverse effect on the civil society," said eminent journalist and Information Commissioner of Assam, Samudra Gupta Kashyap while addressing the day-long celebration of National Press Day at Mangaldai on Monday as the chief guest.

The Darrang district administration on Monday observed National Press Day to commemorate the foundation day of the Press Council of India in the conference hall of the Deputy Commissioner's office.

Taking part in the National Press Day celebration, Mangaldai legislator Guru Jyoti Das appreciated the positive role of media persons of Darrang district even in the crucial hours like flood, ethnic clashes and of late during the countrywide lockdown period. "We have strong faith in the media which has been playing a positive role as the watchdog of the society. The BJP-led State Government is committed for the all-round welfare of media persons and we hope that the dedicated and committed media persons will continue their mission against all irregularities, injustice and anti-social activities," he added.

Earlier, DIPRO MonimalaGogoi explained the objectives of the celebration of National Press Day while Deputy Commissioner Dilip Kumar Borah offered felicitation to seniormost journalist Prasanta Kumar Barua, former journalist Dr. NagendraNathSarma, former president of Mangaldai Press Club and Principal of Mangaldai College, Dr. Khagendra Kumar Nath, senior journalist Bhargab Kumar Das, pioneer in electronic media Mukut Raj Sarma, president of Mangaldai Press Club, Abdul Khalek, Hemanta Kumar Barua and PradipGhosh.

Inaugurating the celebration, Deputy Commissioner Dilip Kumar Borah highly appreciated the role of the media persons of the district, particularly for their yeoman's service during the lockdown with the aim to reach to the downtrodden section. Superintendent of Police AmritBhuyan, editor of MangalBatori, Prasanta Kumar Baruah and former journalist Dr. NagendraNathSarma also addressed the National Press Day celebration.

GOLAGHAT: The National Press Day was observed by the district administration in association with the District Information and Public Relation Office at the premises of Golaghat Circuit House on Monday. The programme started with smrititarpan and later a meeting was held under the president ship of OrpaBaglary, District Development Commissioner of Golaghat. The aim and purposes of the programme was elaborated by DIPRO in-charge and Assistant Commissioner PapuGogoi. In the programme, retired Joint Director of Information and Public Relation Department, JitenKakoty took part as special speaker. ADC Dhiraj Das, Mogen Narah, Puja PunamGogoi along with officials of the district administration and journalists of Golaghat were present.

SARUPATHAR: National Press Day is celebrated every year on November 16. The day marks the presence of an independent and responsible press in India. National Press Day, 2020 was observed across India, including Dhansiri subdivision, in the premises of the SDO office in Sarupathar under Golaghat district on Monday. DibakarNath SDO (civil) of Dhansirisubdivision, felicitated all the media persons with phulamgamusa and appreciated the hard work of media persons who shape national and international discourse.

KOKRAJHAR: Along with the rest of the country, the Kokrajhar Press Club (KPC), in collaboration with the district administration, observed the National Press Day at the conference hall of the press club.

An open discussion on the role of journalists during the corona virus pandemic was held where the Kokrajhar Deputy Commissioner and DPM of NHM, Kokrajhar addressed the gathering.

In his speech, Kokrajhar DC BhaskarPhukan said that journalists had a big role in disseminating correct data and information. He said that incorrect information and data could cause negative impact in the society.

"There should be workshop or fair discussion on various schemes of the Government of India or the State to let the people know about the schemes," he added. He called upon the media fraternity to focus on the grievances of people and developmental activities as well, besides highlighting the political stories which get maximum space.

Phukan thanked the media persons of Kokrajhar for their role during the COVID-19 pandemic while putting their lives at risk. He said the journalists of Kokrajhar performed in a laudable manner.

Uttam Kr. Brahma, District Programme Manager, NHM, Kokrajhar, while addressing as appointed speaker, said there was social stigma over corona-infected persons in the society which should be discouraged. He added that the number of positive cases in the district was declining while ICU for six patients had been set up at RN Brahma Civil Hospital, Kokrajhar.

HAILAKANDI:The National Press Day was observed in a befitting manner maintaining all COVID-19 protocols here on Monday. Speaking as a chief guest at a function held at the Office of DIPRO, Deputy Commissioner, Hailakandi, MeghNidhiDahal said the National Press Day being observed by the Press Council of India is an occasion for both celebration and introspection as to 'what we have done and what we can do".

The Deputy Commissioner said the press has been playing a crucial role since the days of the freedom movement when it brought to the masses the message of the underground movement leaders and created a revolutionary zeal and patriotic fervour down to the COVID-19 pandemic situation despite several challenges confronted by it.

Advocating for a free and independent press without any threat or under any influence, Dahal said the greatest weapon or a shield the press has in its arsenal is its credibility. 'Objectivity, free and fair and unbiased reporting determine the credibility of a newspaper or a news channel and that has to be maintained in a vibrant democracy like ours," said Dahal, adding that in the long run credibility counts rather than TRP rating and lopsided reporting.

The Deputy Commissioner while saluting the media persons for reporting from ground zero on COVID-19 pandemic putting their lives at peril with some even succumbing to the disease, assured that the administration would do everything possible to safeguard the media for free and independent reporting.

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