Small newspapers act as significant monitor: Nanda

Besides, these small newspapers are big enough to convey developmental stories on schemes and welfare initiatives taken by the government for the social and economical uplift of the people of the country as a whole.

Nanda inaugurated the Media Workshop – VARTALAP at Barasat, North 24Paraganas.

This is the first VARTALAP organised in West Bengal.

While speaking on the occasion, she reiterated that local newspapers are powerful medium to reach every nook and corner of a district projecting important news for the people of the area.

Hence, they can be viewed as a significant monitor in sensitising people as well as building opinions.

She pointed out that, these small newspapers also help administration and government by providing inputs on the lacunae present in welfare schemes of the government while implementing the projects which help administration to take corrective measures and address those lacunae.

The former Director General (News) of All India Radio, P.K.Bandyopadhyay said, Press Information Bureau (PIB) is the official media of Government of India for providing authentic, factual and timely news of the incidents, programmes and policies of the government and also provide important developmental features on the policies and programmes of the government to the media.

He even advised representatives of the small newspapers present on the occasion to give more coverage of the developmental activities taken by the Union Government and also turn to be a people’s voice against any kind of indiscriminate action or any incident or activities not fruitful for the development of the locality as well as the district as a whole which may not find place in big dailies.

Bandyopadhyay pointed out that the news disseminated by PIB is not only authentic, it is free of cost too and the photos provided by PIB, Kolkata to the small newspapers is also free of cost.

Journalist Santanu Sanyal also advocated for the genuineness and authenticity of PIB news in terms of data and said the representatives of small newspapers of districts should try to disseminate authentic news and data collected by them from PIB, Kolkata.

Journalist Sudipta Sengupta too spoke for approaching PIB, Kolkata for correct news and views and stressed on the necessity of keeping touch with PIB always for information and government welfare programmes and publicising them in their media for opinions as well as for their wellbeing.

The Director, Press Information Bureau, Kolkata, H.R.Keshavamurthy in his welcome address spoke on the activities of PIB, Kolkata.

The journalists of small newspapers of the North 24 Paraganas district and other dignitaries were present on this occasion.