Role of media important in bridging gaps: Jacob

Shillong, Apr 21 (UNI) Meghalaya Governor M M Jacob has called upon the media in the North-East to play a constructive role in helping the indigenous groups of the region to integrate with the rest of the country without losing their unique identities.

''The North-Eastern region has a large number of tribes and each state has its own problems. The need of the hour is to keep their own identities, but at the same time, to integrate with the rest of the country. Media has to play an important role here,'' said the governor while inaugurating a three-day media seminar-cum-workshop here last evening.

''Media can help in dispelling misconceptions among the people and in establishing a stronger bond among the people of the North-East and with the people of the other regions,'' he said.

For unbiased reporting and better dissemination of information, the governor stressed on educating the journalists.

''The Press Information Bureau (PIB) should initiate steps to take journalists from the North-Eastern states to other parts of the country and journalists from other regions should come here. It will help in widening the perspective of the journalists,'' said Jacob.

The seminar-cum-workshop has been organized by the Shillong Press Club to discuss the way the national media covers the North East. It will also deliberate on ethics and editorial issues in news reporting.

More than 50 delegates from the North-Eastern states and other parts of the country are participating at the seminar-cum-workshop, which has been sponsored by the North Eastern Council (NEC).

UNI SG-PRS KK RD 1058