Port Blair, Nov 16: Like every year, National Press Day was celebrated befittingly in these islands on Tuesday. To mark the occasion, a function was organized by the Daily Newspaper Association (Proposed) at a prominent city hotel here. Mr. K Ganeshan, Chief Editor, The Andaman Express was the chief guest, Guest of Honour Mr. Anadiranjan Biswas, Editor News Spotlight & Mr. Yadasiri Rao, The Mini India on the occasion. Journalists from various print media participated in the celebration and expressed their views and opinions on the media policies of the UT administration.
Journalists discussed a host of issues and problems faced by local mediapersons at length and chalked out plans and strategies to place these issues before the appropriate forum.
Addressing the gathering, Mr K Ganeshan said that local private media have always been in the forefront in appreciating the good plans and policies of the administration. However, in return the administration has adopted discriminating policies towards private media by way of giving preferential treatment to the official media ‘The Daily Telegrams’ in terms of releasing bulk government advertisements. Non-inviting private local media for coverage of the Home Minister tour to these islands is a glaring example of the apathetic attitude of the UT administration towards private media. Giving another example of the unfair attitude of the administration, he said there was a time, the IP&T department used to invite the Lt Governor or the top brass of the administration to attend the National Press Day function, but now a Director level officer, along with some junior level officials are attending such a vital function. The worst part was even the Director, who was the chief guest, left the event after a few minutes leaving the National Press Day function to be attended by a few junior level officials of IP&T.
The media persons felt that since the administration is not resolving their issues, they should send a delegation to New Delhi to meet the Information & Broadcasting Minister and place their issues before the Minister.
The National Press Day is the day to celebrate the freedom of speech, thoughts and virtues as well as the role of media in shaping the society. It is observed on 16 November every year to commemorate the establishment of the Press Council of India which was formed in 1966, and also to mark the presence of an independent and responsible press in India.
