Media's role in upholding democracy highlighted

Kolhapur, Apr 6 (UNI) Mr Pratapsinh Jadhav, editor of the Marathi daily ''Pudhari'', today underscored the importance of the media in upholding democracy.

He was speaking as chief guest at the inaugural function of a two-day workshop for journalists organised by the Kolhapur District Marathi Patrakar Sangh in conjunction with the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Patrakar Parishad, Mumbai, and the state government's Information and Public Relations Directorate.

The function was presided over by Kolhapur district collector Pravin Darade.

The Press, which is described as the fourth pillar of democracy, has the responsibility of ensuring that the other three pillars -- the Parliament, the Judciary and the Bureaucracy -- discharge their duties appropriately, Mr Jadhav said.

It is, therefore, necessary that journalists should study the Indian Constitution in order to perform their role efficiently, he added.

Mr Jadhav rued the present trend in newspapers which accord more importance to crime news rather than news which address social concerns.

UNI