Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 3: On the Press Freedom Day, veteran journalist of yesteryears, Om Saraf today asserted that one should not be biased while reporting and intentions of a journalist should be constructive.
“Media people should be true to their conscious and must understand as well as differentiate between the use and misuse of the freedom of press,” he said while speaking at a seminar titled ‘Better Reporting, Safety of Media in Digital Age and Gender Equality’, organized by the Press Club Jammu on the occasion of Press Freedom Day, here today.
Mr Saraf said that Journalism now a days is very challenging and the community has a vast role to play. Quoting, “Facts Are Sacred, Comments Free”, the veteran said, “learning process should continue and a professional journalist should work in the interest of the society in a constructive manner rather than being destructive.”
Former Director Information, K B Jandyal in his address termed journalism as a social tool and an engine to empower people through information. “There must be accuracy of facts, which should be fair and unbiased,” he said.
Mr Jandyal asserted that freedom of press can be of great benefit and bring a change in the society in a democratic set up.
IGP Jammu Zone Danish Rana spoke on `Safety of media in digital age’ and threw light on issues of security of journalists while reporting during war zones, conflict areas besides commenting and sharing information on social means of communication.
Academician Renu Nanda from University of Jammu, spoke on `Gender Equality’ and said that the women should also come forward in this profession. She said that ratio of female journalists in Jammu and Kashmir is very low but they should join the profession and highlight the rights, issues and other grievances of the women.
Former Vice Chancellor of Patna University and Director, Department of Journalism, IGNOU, New Delhi, Shambhu Nath Singh also spoke on the occasion and said that expectations from the journalists are very high. “Every individual is not a journalist but can be an opinion maker,” he said and termed exposing and reporting as challenging tasks.
Follow our WhatsApp channel