Media Should Spread Information, not sensation

#Media-should-Spread-Information-not-sensation

 

SagarWatch@ The Corona episode is the most extraordinary event during which the credibility of the media has increased even more. When everyone was in the houses during the lock-down, the media representatives were working to spread the news to the people amidst the dangers of infection. But media have to go to the bottom of the news and just underline the public facts. We have to spread information, not sensation,  said Swati Khandelwal, Executive Editor, Zee Business, Mumbai. 

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Webinar: make Society and Electronic media safe from COVID-19

She expressed her views while discussing,  as a special guest, in a webinar jointly organized by UNICEF, Public Relations Society of India, Neo-Vision Society and Working Journalist Association, about the challenges before the media during the Corona period.

This webinar was conducted to sensitize journalists to eliminate Corona-based discrimination and stigma, and how to make society safe while keeping electronic media representatives safe from infection.

Senior journalist and political analyst Mr Girija Shankar was the chief guest of the program. Shri Pushpendra Pal Singh, Principal Editor, Employment and Construction and Chairman, PRSI, Bhopal Chapter joined as the keynote speaker.

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Webinar: Co-operation of media is essential in Covid-19 Prevention

In the program, Dr Ashok Bhargava (IAS), Secretary, Public Health and Family Welfare Department, MP said that Corona is a problem of the whole society and hence the cooperation of media is essential in its prevention. The state government is making all possible efforts for testing, treatment and infection control at its level. Today, the rate of growth of infection is decreasing in the state and the rate of recovery of patients is increasing.

Girija Shankar, the chief guest and senior journalist and political analyst of the program, said that people will have to build confidence to make life normal while being safe from Corona infection. For this, the media will have to play an important role.

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Webinar: Facts & Statistics presentation shouldn't create fear

The horrors of this infection cannot be expressed in words. Since there is no cure, it is necessary to follow preventive measures, for this reason, it is the responsibility of the governments as well as the common citizens to follow the measures to prevent infection.

Trends like discrimination and stigmatization weaken our fight. Writing and showing statistics and facts can be our compulsion, but writing or showing them in such a manner does not spread fear among people. Unknown fear instincts are increasing among people who are leading them to psychological problems. In such a situation, the media will have to become the support of the people.

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Program's chief speaker and editor-in-chief, Employment and Construction and Chairman, PRSI, Bhopal Chapter Pushpendra Pal Singh spoke of doing meaningful journalism to make the society free from corona-based discrimination and stigma while being safe from corona infection. He gave detailed information about the measures to protect channel journalism from COVID-19 spread. He said that we have to give full importance to our security. We do not have to become news ourselves while making news.

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In the second phase of his presentation, he discussed the code of conduct of journalism in the event of a flood-like disaster. He said that in such situations of disaster, we need utmost care and balance. Keeping the people free from fear and anxiety, work should be done to make the administration aware of the arrangements.

The media can become a very important link in informing society about the necessary measures to prevent disaster and to maintain positivity. UNICEF Advisor Mr Ashish Choubey made a presentation about the present condition of Corona, the symptoms and the behaviour required for prevention.

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The webinar was operated by UNICEF consultant Ashish Chaubey. The welcome address was given by Manoj Dvedi, National Council Member, PRSI and a vote of thanks were given by Dr Sanjeev Gupta, Secretary, PRSI, Bhopal. Selected journalists from all the divisions of the state participated in this webinar as participants.