Parliament can't survive without effective media: Somanth

New Delhi, July 28 (UNI) Lamenting that young people were losing interest in Parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee today called upon the media to highlight the productive work of parliamentary democracy to attract highly motivated youths to politics.

Over the years, the impression has gained ground that Parliament is no longer worthwhile as charges of corruption have been made against the members, Mr Chatterjee said, inaugurating the Second Orientation Programme for the Mediapersons Accredited to the Press Gallery of Lok Sabha at the Parliament Library.

''Parliament is not a talking shop. The country's future depends on Parliamentary process,'' he said.

Pointing out that Paarliamentary democracy cannot survive without a vibrant and effective media, Mr Chatterjee said Parliament and the media should complement and supplement each other in strengthening the edifice of democracy.

He urged the media to give wide coverage to important discussions that took place in Parliament.

''The productive work of our Parliamwnt should be adequately highlighted by the media so that negative perception among the public about Parliament can be changed,'' he said. ''Media persons, particularly those covering Parliament, should highlight the substantial work done and the constructive speeches made by MPs.'' Mrs Margaret Alva, Honorory Adviser of the Bureau Parliamentary Studies and Training, which is organising the four-day programme, gave an indepth description of the working of the Question Hour.

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