Newly appointed Information and Cultural Affairs (ICA) minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Tuesday highlighted State government’s media-friendly stance and assured that it would continue to work for the welfare of the media, without any partiality.
He said this during an introduction programme with the trustee, editors and representatives of Media at State Guest House on Tuesday.
Chowdhury said, “Media is the fourth pillar of democracy. The welfare activities of the government cannot be taken to the people without the media. In this process, the journalists have a major role to play.”
The ICA minister was apprised about the challenges being faced by the media persons in discharging professional duties. On behalf of the media representatives, some proposals were also placed before the ICA department.
He assured that emphasis will be given in implementation of the Media Policy of State Government.
Chowdhury said that he would take initiative to ensure transparency in distribution of press jackets to the media persons. If needed, the number of press jackets would be increased, he said.
Taking part in the discussion, chairman of Bhupen Chandra Dutta Bhowmik trust- Sanjay Paul proposed increasing the number of accreditation cards. Press Trust of India (PTI) representative Jayanta Bhattacharjee stressed on improving the quality of government press release issued from the ICA department. He also placed a proposal for issuing English press release and emphasized on preventing misuse of press stickers.
The Minister said he would look into the matter of issuing press release in English.
Secretary of ICA department P.K. Goyal, Director Ratan Biswas and others were present in the interaction programme.