Journalists face threat for exposing truth: Bhatia

Bodh Gaya, Sep 27 (UNI) Bihar Governor R L Bhatia today expressed concern over the growing incidents of attack on journalists in different parts of the country and said they were facing tough times in discharging their duties.

Addressing a two-day conference here of Indian Journalists Union (IJU), Mr Bhatia said the scribes were facing challenges in discharging their duties in the wake of growing terrorism in various parts of the country.

" The journalists are becoming soft targets of attacks by terrorists and other criminal elements and steps should be taken to insulate them from such onslaughts", he said adding it would enable them in discharging their duties more diligently.

"Despite stiff challenge from several corners, the journalists are performing well in bringing truth and realities before the masses", Mr Bhatia noted and said they had greater responsibility as fourth pillar of the democracy in protecting the secular image of the country.

Bihar's Assembly Speaker Udai Narain Chaudhary said the scribes had played pivotal role during the freedom struggle in arousing a sense of patriotism among the people. He lamented over the fact that journalists were fast losing their freedom at the hands of media houses, generally controlled by the capitalists.

Former union minister of state for external affairs Digvijay Singh said the globalisation had also affected the journalism and exuded his confidence that the scribes would also face this challenge boldly.

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