Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Information Department Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali today sought cooperation of media fraternity in effectively projecting the developmental and welfare initiatives launched by the government. He also sought cooperation of the media in highlighting the huge tourism and industrial potential of the State.The Minister was speaking at an interactive session with the media fraternity in Jammu last evening.He said a responsive and responsible approach needs to be adopted for better projection of the state adding that media can play highly constructive role in building favorable image of the state. The Minister also sought cooperation of media fraternity in reaching out to the people on various welfare and development programmes for their effective implementation.Describing media as the fourth pillar of democracy, the Minister said media plays a vital role in maintaining necessary checks and balances which are essential for ensuring transparency and accountability in the system. He said the success of a democratic set up depends on an informed society wherein proactive press plays an indispensable role. “The modern age media in all forms have an imperative role in information dissemination to the citizenry,” he added.
Meanwhile, the editors of various newspapers apprised the Minister of various issues pertaining to journalists’ welfare including establishment of press forums, press colony, effective implementation of advertisement policy, categorization of the newspapers for distribution of advertisements, empanelment of news newspapers for advertisement etc.The working journalists sought implementation of the Wage Board recommendations in the State besides seeking other facilities as are being provided to the editors.After listening to their concerns, the Minister said that the government is well aware of the problems being faced by the media persons in the state while reporting conflict, cross border firing and other risky situations. The government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, will take every possible step for the welfare of the working journalists, he added. Secretary Information, MH Malik, Director Information and PR, Dr Arun Manhas, Joint Director Information Jammu, Manisha Sarin, and other officers of the department were present on the occasion.