“The media today is passing through a tsunami like crisis. The trend to make the news sensational and show only half-truth fosters hatred across different sections. This also creates fissure in the society,” said RSS Sah sarkaryavah Dr Krishna Gopal, while speaking at the Narad Jayanti function in Delhi on May 9. Shri Shantanu Guha Ray, India Editor of Central European News was special guest. Four eminent journalists were felicitated on the occasion. The function was organised by the Indraprastha Vishwa Samvad Kendra.
Citing the example of the coverage of an incident of theft in four churches recently, Dr Krishna Gopal said a section of the media presented a distorted picture of the incident. “According to police, around 458 temples, 25 mosques also reported theft. Yet media chose to report only the theft cases of four churches. It was rather projected as a preplanned attack on the churches. This sent a wrong and distorted message as if the minorities were being systematically targeted in India. This is completely false. Media should have reported complete facts. All attacks on any religious institution are unfortunate, but to present only one side is incorrect,” the RSS Sahsarkaryavah said.
Shri Shantanu Guha Ray said the owners of media organisations are the ones who are largely responsible for the mess that the country’s media is in today. He added that the maddening race for TRP has created a vicious cycle of sensationalism for our news channels.
Founder editor of Manushi Dr Madhu Purnima Kishwar, Shri Yatendra Sharma of India News, photo journalist Shri Shankarhsan Malik and social media activist Shri Praveen Shukla were felicitated with Narad Samman.
At a function organised in Bhubaneswar on May 6, senior journalist Shri Arun Kumar Panda was conferred with Narad Samman. The function was organised by Viswa Sambad Kendra, Odisha. Former Chairman of State Administrative Tribunal Shri Bhubaneswar Haraprasad Das was the chief guest and BMS national secretary Shri Mohini Mohan Mishra was the chief speaker.
Speaking at a function in Meerut, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Sah Prachar Pramukh Shri J Nandakumar said it is necessary to be constructive on the part of the media to ensure holistic development of the country. There should be no tampering with the facts. He said the country expects the media to act as a watch dog.
At the function organised in Awadh on May 7, senior journalist Shri Prem Shukla stressed the need to follow the ideals of Narad. Senior journalist Shri Rajnath Singh Surya presided over the function. Senior academician Shri Arvind Kumar Singh was special guest. Shri J Nandakumar also addressed a function organised at the Prerna Journalism Institute in Noida.
Senior Sangh Pracharak Shri Indresh Kumar addressed the function in Varanasi on May 7. He said the media should work for building the national character. Chairman of the National Book Trust and senior journalist Shri Baldevbhai Sharma was the chief guest. Banaras Hindu University Vice Chancellor Prof Girish Chandra Tripathi presided over the function. Consultant editor of ‘Doordarshan’ Shri KG Suresh addressed the gathering in Gurgaon on May 11. The function was presided over by Shri Sukhbir Chauhan.
There are reports of organising Narad Jayanti functions from different parts of the country. However, in southern states the functions are scheduled to be organised in coming days. —Pramod Kumar
