BHOPAL, Dec 12:
Former President APJ Abdul Kalam today said he always believed that the first loyalty of a journalist must be to the people of the nation.
“I have always believed that the first loyalty of a journalist must be towards the people the nation. A journalist should be independent from any individual, party and organisations,” Kalam said while addressing students of the Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication here.
“While there should be no compromise on reporting the truth, media houses should exercise restraint when it comes to reporting news that may affect national interest, social fabric and peace in the society,” he said.
This is particularly important in a multi-religious, multi-lingual and multi-cultural democracy like India, he said.
Indian media has shown remarkable progress in news content, technological enhancements, citizen interface and innovative methods to motivate people and organisations who contribute to society, the former President said.
India is a country of diversity which has some of the richest people in the world and at the same time we have to uplift 400 million people now living below the poverty line. The country has made substantial progress in space programme, IT and pharmaceutical missions but at the same time we are yet to make all Indians literate, he said.
The country has outstanding women who have shown their capabilities in many fields but at the same time violence against women and children continues to pain every right thinking citizen, he noted.
“Journalism is truth expressed in intelligible language for information, inspiration and the education of readers. True journalism vitalises a nation’s ethics and values.
“There is no room for sensationalism in it, even if in the short run it might sell. True journalism is courageous, truthful, inspiring and exalting,” he said.
Earlier, varsity Vice Chancellor Prof B K Kuthiala highlighted the achievements of the institution.
Kalam administered the oath to the journalism and communication students which lays emphasis on making them partners in national development and dedicated to research and analysis, besides answering their queries. (PTI)
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel