The country has made great strides in the digital sector and this, in turn, has imposed additional responsibilities: Kasargod SP Dr. Vaibhav Saxena

The PIB website has been instrumental in my preparation for the UPSC exams: Dr. Vaibhav Saxena

Kanhangad, June 08, 2022

The country has made great strides in the digital arena but at the same time this has imposed additional responsibilities, said Dr. Vaibhav Saxena SP, Kasargod. He said that there has been an unprecedented increase in digital transactions and hence awareness must be increased.  

Dr. Saxena was speaking after inaugurating a Regional Media Workshop organized by the Press Information Bureau, Kochi under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in association with the Kanhangad Press Forum, Kasargod today.

Dr. Saxena highlighted the importance of the Media Workshop on topics including government flagship programmes. He also recalled that the PIB website itself had helped him a lot in preparing for the UPSC exam. He also said that the media should sensitize, not sensationalize.

“Media can play a critical role in ensuring that government policies reach the right beneficiaries,” said Dr. Vasudha Gupta, DG, PIB, New Delhi who was the chief guest at the event. Dr. Vasudha Gupta also reminded that when news reaches the people, care should be taken that it should not be mixed with views.

In his keynote address, Shri S. Venkateshwar, Director General, PIB (South Zone) said that 70% to 80% of the government budget is spent on social sector development. But this was not getting the attention it deserved in the media. He stressed that the media should pay more attention to such news.

Shri V. Palanichamy Additional Director General, PIB, Kerala Lakshadweep region, presided over the function. He pointed out that there were endless possibilities for those in the media, especially the youth, and they should take care to gain more knowledge about their field in a time-bound manner. “Government communication is largely developmental and this should be given more space in the media for the benefit of the common man,” he added.

Senior Journalists Shri V. V. Prabhakaran and Shri T. Muhemmed Aslam were felicitated during the function.

 As part of the Workshop, sessions were held on various subjects.  Shri Dinakaran Kombileth, Special Correspondent, Mathrubhumi,  Kannur led the first session on ‘Morality and Ethics in Journalism’.

Shri N. P. C. Renjith, Chief Reporter, Malayala Manorama spoke on the ‘Challenges & Expectations Relating to Digital Journalism & Cable TV.' 

Smt. Rashmi Roja Thushara Nair, Director (M & C), PIB, Kochi elaborated on the role and functions of PIB.

And, Ms. Divya K. B. District Development Manager of NABARD threw light on the Flagship programs of the Union Government and the significance of their reporting.

Shri Isaac Eippen, Deputy Director, PIB Kochi welcomed the gathering. Kanhangad Press Forum President Shri P Praveen Kumar and Secretary Shri Joy Maroor were also present on the occasion.

Around 70 journalists from various print, visual, audio, and online media participated in the workshop.

PIB periodically organizes such workshops in various districts to build a direct interface with regional media persons as part of its outreach activities.