Maintain neutrality while reporting, says CM

Shimla, Sept 22 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today called upon the journalists to maintain neutrality while reporting to ensure complete information to the public.

Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day National Executive Committee Meeting of the Federation of PTI Employees Union here, he said journalists should act as two-way bridge between the government and the public.

Mr Singh said public should be provided complete and unbiased information by maintaining independence and self discipline since the objective of the journalism profession was to provide facts only.

The journalists should ensure their independence was not affected by their proximity to the people in power while ensuring constructive and healthy criticism of the govenrment's policies and programmes, he said.

He emphasised the need to refrain from filing stories not based on facts and which affects the credibility of the media.

Observing that the state had seen all round development during the last four and half years of the Congress Government's rule in the state, he said Himachal was emerging as model of development for the rest of the country.

Lok Sabha MP Chander Kumar, who was also present on the occasion, said media was the vital organ of the democracy and had the capability to make and unmake any government.

He advised journalists to refrain from yellow journalism while more space needed to be dedicated for the public welfare and developmental stories and activities.

UNI