New Delhi: Minister for Information & Broadcasting Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, stressed the need for upholding credibility in dissemination of information by public broadcasters. “Public service broadcasters have a great responsibility on their shoulders to ensure credibility in the era of competition.
Shri Venkaiah Naidu visited All India Radio and Doordarshan kendras in Hyderabad on Monday. Speaking at the review meeting held at Doordarshan Kendra, Shri Naidu infused confidence in the officials of different media units of the Ministry while interacting with them to understand their problems.
Shri Naidu stated that the information empowerment of the people is quintessential in the age of information revolution. He added that information is great ammunition in the hands of the people in fighting corruption, poverty and inequalities from the society for the overall development of India.
The Minister added that the public discourse should be guided by development rather than disruptive tactics and politics. Public Broadcasters must excel in factual information while communicating to the mass audience. He advised the Public Broadcaster not to jump into conclusions, but confirm the news before putting it on air.
“A public broadcaster, while disseminating information must abstain from obscenity, vulgarity and violence”, he said. People in the Media while producing programmes, plays, cultural programmes, must keep in mind India’s great heritage, culture, traditions and customs in mind, he added.
Mr Naidu said “Spirituality is the greatest asset of India and it is not linked to any religion. Religion is personal but culture is national”. He added that people in the Media must maintain high standards in informing the masses, keeping in mind the philosophy and guidelines established by the founding fathers in various spheres of Public life.
He further advised the Media not to get involved in either speculation or invention of news. He said, “Let us not mix news with views and create a bad practice.
He urged the media to be biased towards rural people, agriculturists, down trodden sections, women and disabled people in giving more coverage to highlight their grievances.
“Uplifting the poorest of the poor is the Philosophy of NDA Government”, Mr Naidu said. India and its people do not need bills in Parliament but political will and administrative skill to run the government programmes successfully.
Mr. Naidu advocated that Media should work together in bringing social harmony and discourage policitisation of social issues. The Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Naidu stressed that there cannot be any compromise on the safety and security of the nation. He said, everyone must adopt that the Nation is above everything.
“Terror, terrorism and violence are the biggest threats to humanity, he said and added that, “Terrorism has no religion, no colour and everyone in one voice must denounce terrorism”.
He advised the media not to play into the hands of terrorists and should avoid in making them as heroes”. Shri Venkaiah Naidu added that the NDA Government’s vision, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is “SABKA SATH SABKA VIKAS to Reform, Perform and Transform India into a vibrant force.
