President calls for research units in media houses

New Delhi, July 17 (UNI) President APJ Abdul Kalam has stressed that it is essential to have research wings in every newspaper system for developing media personnel in reporting news, event analysis and highlights.

Giving away the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards here last evening, he made this suggestion to an august gathering of editors and correspondents.

''This research wing has to be linked to media research in the academic institutions. This will enable our journalists to carry out original research on topics of national interest and provide solutions to medium and long-term problems.'' The owners of newspapers should encourage research being carried out by experienced and young reporters for acquiring post-graduate qualifications which would improve the quality of content of the print media, Dr Kalam said.

Media members must realise that continuous updating of knowledge in research environment was essential for all journalists. For example, before certain issues were discussed in foreign newspapers, they send it to an internal research group where data was studied; verified and factual news was generated and sent for publication, he said.

''I would suggest our Indian newspaper agencies should encourage research being carried out by our young correspondents and journalists within India and abroad in academic research institutions, which will definitely improve the excellence in reporting and enhance the participation of journalists in national development missions.'' President Kalam also urged journalists to promote the cause of farmers and help extend National Emergency Service Mission to all the states and the union territories in the country.

He asked scribes to focus on informative, positive and inspirational stories.

The President also suggested to Ramnath Goenka Memorial Foundation, which instituted coveted awards, to include two more categories of awards in its next edition.

Keeping the national need of media for one billion people in mind, I would suggest the inclusion of two additional categories as part of Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism awards, one, excellence in promoting rural prosperity, and second, excellence in promoting Panchayati Raj System from the year 2007-08, he added.

UNI