Badal asks media to discharge duty with professional commitment

Chandigarh, Apr 5 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today exhorted journalists to discharge their duty with a sense of professional commitment, sincerity and fearlessness without any bias or prejudice.

Addressing a State Annual Meet of Chandigarh-Punjab Union of Journalists (CPUJ) at Punjab Bhawan here, he said the Punjab Government was committed to total freedom and dignity of the Press.

He hoped that media could play a pro-active role in the overall development and progress of the state.

Mr Badal urged journalists not to play in the hands of politicians but disseminate the news and views in true perspective without any surmises and conjectures. He, however, appreciated the role of media in unearthing scams and scandals besides bringing awareness among the people about social evils of drug addiction and female foeticide. He asked the journalists to do development reporting to highlight the achievements and activities of the government at the grass root levels in the right earnest.

He sought wholehearted cooperation from the media to usher in an era of development and prosperity to fulfill the aspirations of people of the state.

Mr Badal announced to re-constitute the Press Accreditation Committee shortly and also assured that the police would adopt a humane attitude in dealing with the media and other sections of the society. Cases dealing with media persons would be handled by gazetted officers only.

The Chief Minister announced that the State Government would set up an institute of mass communication in accordance with promise made in the election manifesto.

Responding to the demands put forth by (CPUJ), Mr Badal assured the members of the union of full support and cooperation on behalf of the State Government.

He asked the Information and Public Relations Minister to examine all the demands raised by the CPUJ with regard to allotment of land for housing societies, welfare fund for journalists and free travel and lodging facility for Desk journalists at State Guest Houses on payment basis.

Speaking on the occasion, Information and Public Relation Minister Bikram Singh Majithia said the State Government would soon frame a policy for the welfare of media persons all over the state.

He said that guidelines for the media policy would be finalized in consultation with representatives and members of the Press.

On the occasion, Mr Badal released a member's directory published by CPUJ.

UNI