Media has crucial role in sustaining democracy: Vohra

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 6

Governor NN Vohra presented Prof RK Chhibber Journalism Awards to Sanjeev Pargal, bureau chief, Daily Excelsior and Vivek Singh, principal correspondent, Dainik Jagran, at a function organised by Prof RK Chhibber Memorial Trust here today.

Complimenting the recipients of the ‘Journalist of the Year Awards,’ the Governor said the media was a vital organ and had an extremely crucial role in sustaining and strengthening democracy. He urged the journalists to be detached, objective, fair and free from political biases while writing on sensitive issues and matters of public importance.

He urged the fraternity to powerfully project issues relating to corruption, misgovernance, poverty, illiteracy, safety and security of women and children and uplift of the rural areas. This, he said, would help the government in effectively disseminating development and welfare programmes as the enhancement of awareness would benefit the targeted segments of the population and also promote accountability.

The Governor said, “if our print and electronic media work responsibly within parameters of positivity and productivity, it can be extremely effective in spreading awareness and focusing critical attention on important issues.” He said journalists had an important role which they could play for building a bright future of the country.

Ashwani Kumar, president, Press Club of Jammu, and Sushil Chhibber, managing trustee of Prof RK Chhibber Memorial Trust, also spoke on the occasion.

Ved Bhushan Gupta and Zorawar Singh, secretary general, Press Club of Jammu, presented the welcome address and vote of thanks, respectively.