The Hindu : Disseminate news impartially, journalists told

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 30, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Disseminate news impartially, journalists told

By Our Staff Reporter

CUDDAPAH, JAN. 29. The Chairman of the Press Council of India, Justice K. Jayachandra Reddy, on Thursday exhorted journalists to serve people by disseminating news without prejudice.

Speaking as chief guest after laying the foundation stone for the Cuddapah Press Club, he emphasised the need for unity among journalists and collective efforts for safeguarding their rights and ensuring their welfare.

"The pen must not be used to destroy an institution, but must shape it to take the right path," he said. Stating that the Press Council of India Act stipulated that none including the PCI restrict presspersons, he urged scribes to adopt an impartial approach. Lamenting contract appointments and lack of proper wages by some managements, although the number of publications in the country rose to 56,000, he urged the media to play a vital role in safeguarding democracy and focussing on people's problems.

The Chairman of the Press Academy of Andhra Pradesh, I. Venkat Rao, said the academy imparted training to 7,000 scribes in three phases in the State. Urging scribes to undergo computer training through the academy, he said employees of the Information Department were being trained for upgrading their posts as editorial assistants.

The district Collector, Jayesh Ranjan, who presided, said mediapersons in the district were discharging their duties with responsibility, leading to a rapport with the official machinery. Stating that house sites were issued to several scribes in the district, he promised to clear fresh applications shortly.

The journalist, L.S. Narayan, called for unity among journalists and advised them not to enrol non-journalists in the Press Club. The A.P. Union of Working Journalists State president, D. Amar, said the number of mediamen in the State had grown over the years and the union was striving for their welfare.

The APUWJ State general secretary, A. Anjaneyulu, said scribes were working in about 6,000 rural areas in the State and training classes were being conducted for them.

The district president of the APUWJ, D. Sreenath, thanked the Collector for extending his cooperation in various aspects.

The district APUWJ secretary, M.V. Subramanyam, welcomed guests and Bhaskar Reddy proposed a vote of thanks. The Superintendent of Police, V.C. Sajjanar, the Additional SP, T. Narasinga Rao, the CPO, Murali, the trade union leader, Ch. Chandrasekhar Reddy and scribes from all over the district participated.

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