Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki on Saturday said that media should grow in strength in tune with the growth of the state which is poised for a rapid multifaceted development.
Addressing a gathering to observe the 47th National Press Day as chief guest here, Tuki said that the goal cannot be achieved without united efforts, including the press.
Arunachal is a multi-ethnic state where small thing takes a huge form and vice versa. Tribals are straightforward and emotional and they may commit mistakes unintentionally, he said. He pointed out that there were many unregistered NGOs in the state, though it has hardly 7 lakh tribal population. He feared that many NGOs have vested interests, and wanted the media to scrutinise them for greater welfare of the society.
Indian democracy has given freedom which should be for development and greater welfare but not for any negativism that hamper state's growth, he said and pointed out the example of hydro-power projects halted by 'our people' as well as outside forces.
"There is imposition to not exploit the natural resources of Arunachal in global interest. Negative forces have been working against us. Shouldn't we work for our own development? Developed nations hide their negative aspects unlike India where negativity gets greater publicity", he reasons.
Responding to the Arunachal Press Club demand, the Chief Minister asked the press fraternity to identify the land for which he would sanction Rs 3 crore for the proposed press colony. He assured that he would direct the Deputy Commissioner to allot the existing press club land. He announced Rs 10 lakh as corpus fund, directed the IPR department to make a proposal to ensure implementation of the Majitia Wage Board report by all media houses in the state.
The CM felicitated Banta Natung, 21, of Veo village of Pijeriang circle of East Kameng district, for writing the novel -Memoir of a boy - that got him worldwide recognition.
Also Read
Highlighting the role of media since its inception in 1780 in India, Tourism Parliamentary Secretary P D Sona said that 'Medium is the message' and serves as a watch dog on the functioning of three pillars - executive, judiciary and legislature.
He exhorted the media to rise above TRP and not to concentrate on three Cs - cinema, crime and cricket and provide research-based views instead of only news to influence the thought process of the people. "The media has a critical role to play in India", he said, and added that there cannot be a democracy without media.
APC president Chapa Chada said the press played a vital role in the development of the state, and hoped that it would receive the support of the state government and the Chief Minister, which would boost the morale of the press fraternity Secretary of the APC , Dani Salu said that the press in Arunachal will help in influencing socio-economic development.
He exhorted the media to be free from biasness, emotion and sentiment to command respect. Freedom of press is not a right to criticise alone but to present facts with right perspective, he said, adding the role of press is more vital today for Arunachal.
Local scribes highlighted their experience from a recent five-day trip to Manipur sponsored by APC and IPR department, saying the media in Manipur, despite severe threats from 40 under ground organizations, was functioning independently.
The IPR Parliamentary Secretary Thangwang Wangham, Arunachal Public Service Commission chairman Dr Ligu Tacho, IPR director C M Longphong, IPR officers, RGU faculties and students of mass communication department, party leaders, and members of media fraternity were present on the occasion.