By DIPR Silchar
National press day was observed by the Cachar District Administration in coordination with Regional Office Of Information and Public Relations Barak valley zone Assam in presence of journalists, print electronic media and leading citizens at the conference hall of Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Tuesday.
Initiating the discussion, District Development Commissioner Cachar, Rajib Roy explained the significance of the National Press Day’ and said that this day assumes significance as it reminds the journalists of their basic responsibilities and also the commitment to serve the society and nation. While explaining the purpose of observance of this day DDC ,Roy said “Media is one of the pillars of democracy and media plays a vital role in making a nation more stronger”.
Addressing the media on the topic chosen by the Press Council of India as the theme of this year National Press Day celebration, Assistant Professor, Dr. Paromita Das, Department of Mass Communication Assam University, who was invited as a guest speaker on the occasion, emphasised the significance of the day 16th November as this day the Press Council of India started functioning as a statutory body to ensure that the press maintains the standard expected from this powerful medium.
Dr. Das stressed the importance of a free press for the effective functioning of a democracy. She also stressed that a free and vigilant Press is vital to restrain corruption and injustice at least to the extent that public opinion can be roused as a result of press investigations and comments. She added that in media in India enjoys absolute freedom however there have been hue and cry related to freedom of speech and expression in the recent times where India has been ranked 140th in the world press freedom index which according to her is comparatively a better position compared to China or North Korea.
Dr Paromita Das conveyed her regards to all working journalists and journalists who have laid their lives in working for this noble profession in the past. She also added that the profession of a journalist is a dangerous pursuit and while taking oath as a journalist one should be ready to face the truth fearlessly as this profession is no less a job of a soldier or a warrior.
Senior Journalist, Jyoti Lal Chowdhury, who was also a guest speaker, said that National Press Day reminds journalists of their adherence to free ,fair and fearless journalism. while elaborating on the given topic, he said that the press council of India acts as a watchdog of society and politicians, bureaucrats, officials, organisations and individuals involved in corrupt practices are on their toes, afraid of inviting warth of the press.
Senior Journalist Jyoti lal Chowdhury cited the example of the Bhagalpur central jail case, blindly exposed by the media which shook the government of that time and invited worldwide condemnation. He said the press has to be taken of for its constructive role.
Editor of Bengali Daily newspaper, Samyaik Prasanga , Taimur Raja Chowdhury also spoke in length about the role of media and its impact on the journalism and brought in to focus how media in Barak valley,10 dailies and numbers of weekly newspapers have been working as a beacon light, earning the appreciation of the readers.
Renowned lawyer, Tuhina Biswas, leading citizens, Swarnali Chowdhury, Haran Dey, Babul Hore, journalist Bijoy Bhattacharjee and journalists from different media houses also spoke on the occasion.
Later, District Development Commissioner Cachar Rajib Roy felicitated the journalists with traditional ‘uttorio’ and handed over gifts as a token of appreciation.
(This is stated in a press release issued from the Regional Office Of Information and Public relations Barak valley zone Assam.)
