Goa, 12 September 2023 

 

Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Tourism, Shri Shripad Naik, inaugurated and addressed a ‘Vartalap’ organized by the Press Information Bureau, Panaji, today in Ponda, Goa. The Vartalap saw journalists, officials of Directorate of Information and Publicity and students of Parvatibai Chowgule College attend. During his address, The Minister underscored the significance of the media as the "Fourth Estate" in a democracy and its pivotal role in ensuring transparent and accountable governance.

Shri Naik commended the media's multifaceted role, stating that it not only informs and educates but also acts as a vigilant watchdog and holding those in power accountable for their actions. He emphasized the crucial role of a free and responsible media in fostering a transparent and accountable government, particularly in a democratic nation like India.

   

Union Minister went on to highlight the profound impact that the media can have on governance, especially in an era where information is readily accessible. He emphasized that the media's responsibility in improving governance has never been more significant.

   

Organized with active support from Antruz Patrakar Sangh, the ‘Vartalap’ session featured a diverse range of discussions:

• Reporting Stories on Persons with Disabilities: Taha Haaziq, Secretary, Goa State Commission for Persons with Disabilities, stressed the need for increased sensitivity towards Persons with Disabilities in media reporting, emphasizing the role of media and society in promoting inclusivity.
• Reporting Wildlife: Prem Kumar IFS, Deputy Conservator of Forests (South Goa), emphasized the importance of balanced reporting when covering wildlife issues and the significance of consulting forest officers for accurate and responsible reporting, especially regarding wildlife crime.
• Goa’s Startup Ecosystem: Prasant D.S, CEO of Goa Startup and IT Promotion Cell, shared insights into the startup schemes of the Government of Goa and the Central government, highlighting that around 1040 startups are registered in Goa with DPIIT. The session also featured a talk by Dr.Roshan Naik, an entrepreneur and a beneficiary of the various support systems extended by both the State and Union Government.  
• Editorial Lines in the Age of Social Media: Pramod Acharya, Editor of Prudent, discussed the challenges posed by disinformation in the age of social media and cautioned budding journalists to verify facts before disseminating information.

   

The ‘Vartalap’ also featured an exhibition on 9 years of Seva, Sushasan and Gareeb Kalyan, set up by Central Bureau of Communication, Goa. The exhibition highlighted various schemes, projects and achievements of the Government of India over the past nine years.  It was keenly visited by all those in attendance.

 

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