Vikram Aditya
Port Blair, Sept 8: Scribes from Tamil Nadu Union of Journalists (TNUJ) interacted with the counterparts in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Monday. In a first of its kind interaction, the visiting journalists shared their experiences, views with the media persons of these islands at Megapode Nest Resort. The Chairperson, Port Blair Municipal Council, Mr K Ganeshan, also a noted journalist, was the chief guest on the occasion.
Speaking to the local media, the TNUJ State President, Dr SR Subhash and Director, Baaskar Media (P) Ltd, Mr R Baskaran called for affiliation with the media of Andaman and Nicobar Islands to highlight local issues in the national level. “Located far way from mainland, issues in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands don’t often get highlighted at the national level. An alliance of the media here with TNUJ will immensely benefit the islands as local issues will be brought to national limelight for their prompt redressal,” they said.
The visiting journalists also informed the local media about initiatives being taken by TNUJ for grant of Medical facilities to journalists, Bank loans as also other welfare schemes. They also invited a delegation of the local media to participate in the Tirupathi Conference scheduled to be held later this month.
Speaking on the occasion, the PBMC Chairperson, underlined the concerns of the local media houses. Despite executing the duties of the fourth estate with utmost dedication, the journalists here are still awaiting grant of benefits from the administration. Unlike other states, journalists here are not entitled for concessional accommodation in government or PSU guest houses in various parts of these islands. Moreover, concession in ship or bus travels is also not extended for the journalists here. Media accreditation by the concerned agency of the administration is yet another issue haunting the local media houses here, said Mr Ganeshan.
