Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said that social change can take place by two ways either by revolution or by evolution adding further that by following the latter we can bring far better changes in the society and contribute to development. Media can effectively serve as a means of disseminating vital information to the masses in the developing world.He was speaking during inaugural session of international conference on ‘Communication for Social Change and Development: Imperatives and Constraints’ organised by department of Journalism and Mass Communication in Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla today.The Chief Minister said that the new technologies can complement face-to-face traditional forms of communications in the quest for social change. He advised the media not to hype the basic facts or misinform as to increase the superficial appeal of things. He said that media should abstain from creating sensation and it should be objective and fair to build reputation of its organisation and keep its standing in the society.
He said that media had to play an important role in shaping the society and it was the media which could provide valuable arguments for change and bringing about public opinion for the necessary upliftment of the society. “Media should fight for the rights of the poorest of the poor and help providing them social justice”, he added.He said in pre and post independence era the media was not much advanced but it created a zeal of nationalism amongst the people and had a great impact on their minds who stood for freedom of the country.Social equality was of great importance, and had to be translated into action and the media can contribute to great extent he remarked adding that it was the media which helps us to rethink on the issues of great importance, upon the social problems and thereupon finding solution in larger interest of society.The media could be informer and misinformer too, however positive reporting could play a very decisive role in changing the opinion of the society, said Shri Virbhadra Singh.Chief Minister inaugurated ‘Vidyotma’ Girls’ Hostel in H.P. University constructed at a cost of Rs. 4.35 crore which would provide accommodation facilities to 132 students.The Chief Minister also released a souvenir on the occasion.Earlier, Vice- Chancellor, Prof. A.D.N. Bajpai, honoured the welcomed the Chief Minister on the occasion.
Chairperson, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Smt. Veerbala Aggarwal detailed about the objectives of the conference.Associate Editor, The Tribune, Chandigarh, Shri Dinesh Kumar, presented keynote address during the conference.Chairman, State Public Service Commission,K.S. Tomar, said that young Journalists should travel and break stories of atrocities on scheduled castes, weaker sections and VIP culture as such stories contribute in bringing the social change. He said breaking human interest stories could be key to social change in society and journalists should also have ambition to break stories about the growing corruption in our system.Shri Tomar said media persons should be committed to objective type of reporting and element of ‘Bias’ must be overcome.
He said real India lives in villages and State Governments should encourage good local channels which could highlight plight of people living rural areas.Pro-VC, Shri Rajinder Singh Chauhan, Director, Information and Public Relations, Dr. M.P. Sood, Chairperson, Dean of Studies, HPU, Shri Laxman Singh Thakur, Registrar, HPU, Shri Pankaj Lalit, Deputy Director General Doordarshan, Shri Om Gauri Dutt Sharma, were also present on the occasion amongst others.Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh during a meeting of H P State Child Welfare Council at Raj bhavan Shimla on 18 Sep 2015.Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh inaugurating 'Vidyotma' Girls Hostel in HP University Shimla on 18 Sep 2015.Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh releasing a souvenir during a inaugural function in HP University Shimla on 18 Sep 2015.