Shri M. Sivaguru Prabhakaran, District Collector, Ramanathapuram, said that Media plays a major role in taking the government welfare measures to the beneficiaries. He said this while presiding over an orientation program for journalists, organized by the Press Information Bureau, Chennai at Ramanathapuram today. The programme aimed at strengthening responsible journalism, enhancing awareness on government initiatives and equipping media professionals with the knowledge to effectively counter misinformation in the digital age.

Speaking at the event, Shri Sivaguru Prabhakaran described the media as the fourth pillar of democracy and appreciated its constructive role in governance. He said several district administration initiatives had been strengthened through proactive media support. Such orientation programmes, help journalists upgrade their knowledge and professional skills.

Shri G. Chandeesh, Superintendent of Police, Ramanathapuram, enlightened the journalists on the importance of effective communication and highlighted the crucial role of the media in ensuring accurate dissemination of information relating to police and government initiatives. Reiterating the vision of a Drug-Free Tamil Nadu, he emphasised that awareness among the public, especially parents and youth, is essential to eliminate drug abuse.

Delivering the keynote address, Shri V. Palanichamy, Director General (i/c) South Zone, Press Information Bureau, underscored the importance of accuracy, brevity and clarity in journalism. He said the media today faces two major challenges—AI-generated content and fake news and the rapid evolution of technology. He urged journalists to uphold professional ethics while embracing technological advancements. He also called upon the media to provide greater coverage to government welfare and developmental initiatives so that their benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.

 

In a special session, Shri P. Arun Kumar, Director, Press Information Bureau, Chennai, delivered an interactive presentation on misinformation and disinformation. He explained practical methods of verifying digital content, identifying manipulated information and using fact-checking tools to ensure responsible journalism.

During the technical session on Sustainable Fisheries and Blue Economy, Dr. Vikas P.A., Senior Scientist, ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Mandapam, Ramanathapuram highlighted the vast potential of seaweed cultivation and cage fish farming in improving the livelihoods of coastal communities. He spoke about the Government's continued support for fisheries research and sustainable aquaculture and outlined various initiatives under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), including a Central Government contribution of Rs.9,407 crore for fisheries development.

 

Addressing a session on the Role of MY Bharat in Community Leadership, Shri Manuel Berly, District Youth Officer, MY Bharat, said MY Bharat is a essential platform designed to empower India's youth through volunteering and nation-building initiatives. He informed that more than 35,000 youth from Ramanathapuram district have registered on the MY Bharat portal and 114 youth clubs have also been enrolled. He explained the portal's features and encouraged young people to actively participate in community development.

The orientation programme witnessed the enthusiastic participation from around 70 journalists representing print, electronic and digital media across Ramanathapuram district. It provided an interactive platform for discussions on responsible journalism, government communication, emerging technologies, fact-checking and developmental initiatives.

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