Highlight stories that improve Goa’s image, create awareness among people: CM Highlight stories that improve Goa’s image, create awareness among people: CM

Highlight stories that improve Goa’s image, create awareness among people: CM

Highlight stories that improve Goa’s image, create awareness among people: CM

Panaji: November 16, 2022

The Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant lauding the journalists in Goa for their zeal and passion said “Journalism is not a job but a passion which is seen in some journalists not bothering about their financial security.

Speaking as the Chief Guest at the National Press Day organised, on the occasion of Foundation Day of the Press Council of India, by Department of Information and Publicity (DIP) at Institute Menezes Braganza, in Panaji, today Dr Sawant appealed to the press to stand for the truth in their writings and not to compromise under pressure.

Calling the media as the fourth pillar of democracy, he informed that the press play, such an important role that even Courts take cognizance based on media reports giving justice to aggrieved party.

The Chief Minister further stated that media should work to improve and protect the image of Goa, through their writings. Media plays an important role in creating awareness among people on various issues, he said.

The Chief Minister assured to look into the reviving the scheme of Ex Gratia financial assistance to journalists. He also announced the Government’s plans to build a Patrakar Bhavan in the capital city of Goa in the interest of State in next few years.

The Chief Minister spoke of organising press tours to see clean cities in India where journalists can visit and report about important aspects on maintaining cleanliness to make Goa a clean State.

Dr Sawant said that the Government is doing its best to make Goa Swayampurna Goem and bring the ‘Government to the people’s doorstep’ but added for its success, journalists need to write about these topics.

Secretary, Information and Publicity, Shri Subhash Chandra, IAS, said that press plays an important role in promoting democratic values in society and hence should be unbiased. Urging journalists to adhere to authenticity and accuracy while reporting facts and figure as maintaining credibility is very important he asked them to highlight the schemes and policies of government so that it reaches to the masses who can benefit from them.

Earlier, acting Director of DIP, Shri Kedar Naik in his welcome speech spoke of the various schemes implemented by the DIP fir the betterment and welfare of Journalists informed they had resolved a lot of issues of the journalists.

On the occasion, the Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed on Cyril D’Cunha, a senior journalist in recognition of his dedicated services and immense contribution towards Journalism.

Former Editor, Dainik Herald, Shri Rajendra Dessai, Shri Vithaldas Hegde from Herald Publications, Senior Photographer, Shri Arvind Tengse, Senior Journalist, Shri Peter D’Souza; former editor Gomantak, Kishor Shet Mandrekar were felicitated for their contribution in the field of journalism.

The Goa State Journalist Awards conferred in nine categories for news items and articles published during the previous calendar years were given to the winners. On the occasion, the prize winners of the Goa State Photo Contest were also handed over their awards.

The National Press Day was held in collaboration with Goa Editor’s Guild, Goa Union of Journalists, Photo Journalist’s Association Goa, Electronic Media Journalist’s Association, Sports Journalist’s Association Goa and South Goa Journalist’s Association.
An interactive session on the topic ‘Impact and Influence on Media Reporting on Crime and Sensitive Matters’ was Conducted in National Press Day function wherein IPS, S.P, North, Goa Police, Shri. Shobhit Saksena; Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) representative, Shri. Vasudev Pagi; Representative of Electronic Media, Shri. Loukik Shilkar; President, COOJ, Dr. Peter Castellino, and Chief Reporter, TOI, Murari Shetye participated. The session was moderated by Editor, Goan Varta, Shri. Pandurang Gaonkar.
Joint Director, DIP, Pandurang Talgaonkar, President of Goa Union Journalists, Shri Rajtilak Naik, Information Officer (DIP), Shri Allwyn Pereira, Assistant Information Officers, Shri Kiran Munankar, Shri Shyam Gaonkar, Shri Nikhil Prajkate; Senior journalists were among those present on the occasion. Ms Vishvaja Faldesai compered the function.