Port Blair, Mar 30: Former Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray has come forward to help local media and has now demanded support for local private media.
In a letter addressed to the Lt. Governor of A & N Islands and Chief Secretary he said that he had an interaction with local media and understood that in these troubled times, the local media is also going through tremendous stress.
“Being one of the pillars of the democracy, it may be incumbent upon the Administration to look into their grievances earnestly. It is these local media who enable news to trickle to nook and corner of the territory and also get news from even the remotest corners. Hence, their role for identifying gaps and strengthening of systems, particularly in these times, become very important,” he said.
The former MP demanded to ensure operational continuity of Print and Electronic Media in view of the threat in accordance with the directions issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting dated 23rd March, 2020.
Clearing of all long pending bills of local media (nearly 4-6 lakhs per newspaper house in various departments) so that they can sustain their operations during this period.
Presently advertisements especially IEC material for the threat is being advertised through Daily Telegrams only. The same may be extended to all local media.
Essential Service Pass may be issued to all staff of print media for distribution and printing and for other works as they are being harassed and not allowed to perform their duties.
Opening of Media Help Desk and designating Nodal Media for interaction with media on day to day basis at Directorate of Disaster Management ( as done in any crisis situation under SOP made by the Administration also).
“Please treat these local news papers as friends of the Administration and for suggestions as they have ground knowledge of suffering groups / can point of lacunae and make Administration reach even the unreached,” Mr. Ray added.
