The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Press Photographers' Association inaugurated

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 08, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Press Photographers' Association inaugurated

Special Correspondent

Government will consider the outfit's demands: Karunanidhi

NET-FRIENDLY: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi launching the Tamil Nadu Press Photographers' Association website at the Raj Bhavan on Thursday. Governor Surjit Singh Barnala (second from right) and Information and Publicity Minister Parithi Ilamvazhuthi are also in the picture. — Photo: R. Ragu

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Thursday inaugurated the Tamil Nadu Press Photographers' Association and launched its website www.tnppa.in

Speaking at Raj Bhavan, he said the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government had initiated many welfare measures for journalists and would continue to take steps for their well-being.

He would consider the association's demands. It was in 1997 that the DMK Government instituted the process of granting solatium from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to families of journalists who died after 20 years in the profession. When the AIADMK was in power from 2001 to 2006, though many journalists had died, only families of two journalists received the amount.

Though many representations were given by families, those in positions of responsibility did not sign them. The entire backlog was being cleared now, he said.

Governor Surjit Singh Barnala said a practical concern was that of morality in the profession. "A journalist, loyal to his profession, would never colour his reporting or exaggerate and distort his news," he said. The Governor wanted press photographers to apply for different awards and organise photo exhibitions and contests.

Editor-in-Chief of the The Hindu N. Ram said news photographers had not got their due for long. He expressed happiness over the efforts being made now. Photographs were receiving more importance in newspapers, which were devoting more space for visuals. Information and Publicity Minister Parithi Ilamvazhuthi, quoting examples, said that news pictures stayed in memory for long.

Editor of Dinakaran Kadirvel wanted photographers to graduate to becoming photojournalists. Editor of Nakheeran Nakheeran Gopal spoke. Three veteran news photographers — Narayanachari, Viswanathan and Hameed — were honoured. President D. Krishnan and Secretary S. R. Raghunathan detailed the activities of the organisation.

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