'Free, vibrant media, oxygen of democracy'

Kohima, Jun 12: Nagaland Governor K Shankaranarayanan today emphasised the need of media's growth for improving the democratic system adding that a free and vibrant media is the ''oxygen of democracy.''

Inaugurating the Highland Dawn Media (HDM), a christian television programme studio here today, the Governor said despite media being the fourth estate of democracy, people often have an ambivalent attitude towards it.

''When media highlights any public activities and achievements, all bask in the public adulation but when it criticises, all feel uncomfortable,'' Mr Shankarnarayanan observed.

He further said the media industry in the state was healthy and growing adding that it had been providing best education to the people on various aspects.

It also works in various fields of development of socio-cultural bonds in various sections of the society.

The governor said the sector had undergone a transformation with the advent of the Information Technology and Internet.

''The explosive growth in media has lead to intense competition,'' he said hoping that HDM would not be confined to only religion but should work for the society's educational, cultural and social uplift.

UNI