Chief Secretary appeals media to become part of team Arunachal
Itanagar
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary appeal the media to become part of team Arunachal and take part in development of state, region and nation as whole.
While addressing the gathering of journalists from the North East who are said to be the pillars of our vibrant fourth estate conscience keepers of our society and the protectors of democracy & freedom.
He thanked the President and all the office Bearers of the Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists who have arranged such Conclave, which will definitely go a long way in developing the vibrant and ethical journalistic culture & traditions in NE Region.
Freedom of expression is a fundamental right, enshrined in the Constitution of India. This freedom is the life breath, the heart and soul of our vibrant democracy and the very way of life of the North East.
A country can call itself democratic only if its journalists, press and media can work in a free and independent environment, acting as guardians for the respect of the rule of law.
He appreciated all journalists, and to their essential role in enriching our democracy and our society from smaller desks to big media rooms; from beginner free-lancers to opinion-making journalists; from traditional press & media to online channels: my whole-hearted thanks to these sentinels which are at the forefront of the defence of our freedom.
He said that we need to re-reaffirm the vital role that a free press & free media plays in democracy by throwing light on all aspects of life, the opportunities & challenges we face and success stories etc and acknowledge that our Journalists in the North East, have been able to unveil the truth about our region, about ourselves and about our governments. This unravelling of the truth, empowers us, makes us stronger, gives voice to the voiceless, exposes injustice, and holds Political Leaders and Civil Servants accountable.
He also said that journalists of print, electronic & social media adhere to a mechanism of self-conscience by evolving a universally accepted code of conduct.
The entire North East region and specifically our Arunachal Pradesh stands at the cusp of a new tomorrow. The Govt. of India under the able leadership of Prime Minister is taking unprecedented interest in the region with its act east policy to make the North Eastern Region, an engine of India’s growth. The Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh has made determined and sustained efforts to achieve transformational changes in almost all facets of governance.
He said that nothing great can be achieved without teamwork that we have to start collaborating as a team to create the ‘New Arunachal’ of our dreams and terming the Journalist as Members of ‘Team Arunachal’ and it is because of the vibrant and active journalistic tradition of Arunachal Pradesh, that a new social consciousness is developing in the state.
He inform that that in the budget speech for the Fin. Year 2018-19 the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister acknowledged the role of Press & Media as the fourth pillar of democracy and announced the allocation of Rs. 3.5 crore for creating infrastructure facilities of Press Club in Itanagar.
With Corpus Fund for Welfare of Journalists will be enhanced from Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 2 crore and that for completion of Soochna Bhawan, IPR Department, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh Rs. 4 crore has been earmarked.
Today, many young people are engaged in the creative industry. The government has proposed to earmark a sum of Rs. 5 Crore to establish a Hi-Tech multipurpose studio to support the common requirements of youth engaged in film making, animation and other creative activities.
The Department of IPR will also be entering into a MoU with Entertainment Society of Goa to conduct an International Tribal Film Festival in Itanagar on the lines of International Film Festival, Goa. For this purpose, an amount of Rs. 5 Crore has been earmarked.
Advertisement is the most important means of revenue for the press and media industry. The long pressing demand of a New Advertisement Policy has also been looked into by the State Cabinet which has approved the policy in January 2018. This policy was published in the gazette of Arunachal Pradesh on 15th March 2018. With this, advertisement bills shall now be cleared faster than ever before. The government has also, in 2017, enhanced the advertisement rate by 20%.
The Journalist community and the Govt. has to walk hand in hand, they have to collaborate, they have to work together as Team Arunachal, Team North East and Team India for achieving the mission of a New Arunachal, a New North Eastern Region and a New India.
Secretary IPR and Secretary to CM Sonam Chombey while addressing the conclave as guest of honour said that apart of several difficulty and so many prevailing issue confronting the North East region the mainstream media mostly focus on the issue related with China and few other while they need to raise many other issue relating to development and others, he emphasis on focusing of all issue by the national and mainstream media so that the issue is remain in domain and known to all.
Special guest Indian Journalist Union (IJU) President S. N. Sinha while lauding the organising of such even 1st of its kind in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in the eastern most part of the country.
While remembering the former journalist TT Tara alongwith others who have tried their best effort for revival of the journalist union in state from time to time and lauded the effort of the resent team lead by Amar Sangno for the development of media fraternity in the state and its growth.
He said that even if there is lost of problems and inconvenience and unfavourable condition and journalist work “ we need to unite to fight our all issues and we are strong enough”
He also briefed about the role of Press Club and members of Journalist Union in fight for right of the journalist and its family members, working facility.
APUWJ President Amar Sangno in his presidential speech raised various issue related with the welfare of the working journalist and development of media in state and appeal the guest to focus in the development of media and growth of journalism and mass media in state. He also raised few issue relating to the welfare measure need to be remaindered by the government.
General Secretary Ranju Dodum, Organising Chairman and APC General Secretary Tanom Jerang also address the gathering.
The technical session which was participated and focused on the several issue confronting the media and journalist of the country were discussed and a resolution was adopted on the occasion.
IJU Vice President Geetarth Pathak, North East India Federation of Journalists (NEFJ) President Sajjad Ali, Easter Himalaya Journalist Union Executive Members, delegates from several NE region attuned the conclave which held at Dorjee Khandu State Convention Hall.
