Jajpur,09/09(PPT): Journalists should not remain content with being described as the fourth pillar of democracy but must strive to become the “third eye” of society by observing, analysing and reporting events with courage and integrity, said Eastern Media chairman Soumya Ranjan Patnaik.
Speaking as the chief speaker at the eighth annual celebration of the Byasa Print Media Association, held at Byasadev Town Hall here on Wednesday, Patnaik stressed the important role of the media in preserving language, literature, culture and traditions. He described the print media as the “cradle of readable prose” and said journalists who remain committed to their motherland, soil and mother tongue can strengthen readers’ trust.
He cautioned journalists against compromising their professional ethics. “Selling one’s pen or compromising with the government for personal benefits is a disgrace to the profession of journalism,” he said, adding that narrow or selective reporting could hamper social development.
The programme was presided over by association president Sarat Pathal. Senior adviser Haradhan Banerjee delivered the welcome address, while organising secretary Umakanta Rout introduced the guests. General secretary Dr Chintamani Padhi presented the annual report and reflected on the lessons of the Mahabharata, observing that timely resistance to injustice could have prevented the great war.
Former minister Dr Prafulla Chandra Ghadhei, who inaugurated the event, said genuine journalism requires hard work and dedication. He also expressed concern over the expanding influence of social media and called for a society free from addiction to alcohol and intoxicants.
Jajpur District Planning Board chairman and Korei MLA Akash Dasnayak advised journalists to observe every event from different perspectives and engage in self-introspection before presenting truthful and fearless reports.
Kalinganagar Additional District Magistrate Sapan Kumar Nanda said journalism was not merely a profession but a commitment to society. He stressed that newspapers could lose public credibility if accurate news was not published.
Vyasnagar Municipal Council chairman Subas Bal said journalists had played an important role in strengthening fraternity and social harmony in the town.
During the event, several individuals from journalism, healthcare, education, social service, industry, administration and other fields were felicitated for their contributions. More than a hundred journalists, intellectuals, lawyers, writers, senior citizens and representatives of various organisations from across the district attended the programme.