Srinagar: Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India organized a one day Media Workshop “Vartalap” today at the Conference Hall of DC Office Shopian. The workshop was aimed at sensitising journalists from twin districts of Shopian and Pulwama about various centrally sponsored schemes and their vital role to create awareness among people.
The program was inaugurated by District Development Commissioner Shopian, Dr Owais Ahmed. Eminent media persons from the two districts and various officials from district administration were also present, a statement issued by PIB said.
In his address to the participants, DDC Shopian said that media has an essential role to play in dissemination of proper information about various centrally sponsored schemes to the people. Congratulating PIB for organising the workshop, he said that such awareness programs play important role in sensitizing media about different government initiatives.
Dr Owais said that there is a need for coordination between media and district administration so that the information about different programs is effectively communicated to the masses in an organised manner. “Media has a huge responsibility to assess the implementation of the schemes at the ground level,” he said.
Highlighting the role of emerging trends in communication, he said that media persons have to strive to maintain credibility in view of the changing trends.
Deputy Director, Press Information Bureau Srinagar, Ghulam Abbas said that the aim of organising such a program is to highlight the role of media to bring awareness among people about different government sponsored schemes and initiatives. He suggested that scheme implementation, analysis and results should also be reported properly to determine the actual outcome at ground level.
Laying stress on healthy criticism of government departments by media, he maintained that administrative officers should not get offended by constructive criticism which is essential for social development. He further added that there is a spectrum of government schemes for the benefit of people however proper awareness among the masses is needed for their maximum utilisation.
A number of experts delivered talks during the day long programme. In his speech, Executive Editor Nida-e-Mashriq, Haroon Rashid explained the need for maintaining high standards of journalism while Riyaz Mailk, Sr Correspondent, Kashmir Uzma emphasized the need for development reporting to bring about positive social change.
