Journalists have a very special place in my Corona Warriors' list: Dr. Harsh Vardhan

 

New Delhi (November 27, 2020) : ''Journalists have played an important role in the prevention of the Corona pandemic. Journalists have a special place in my list of Corona Warriors. I salute their passion and courage'' said Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, while interacting with the students of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) on the fifth day today. Apart from Director General of IIMC Prof. Sanjay Dwivedi and Additional Director General Shri K. Satish Nambudiripad, all faculty members of the IIMC from all regional centres and students joined the Orientation virtually.

 
Speaking on the topic 'Health Journalism in Pandemic’, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said during the pandemic journalists have consistently reported from ground zero, and while discharging their duty many of them have lost their lives. He said in the last three decades he has learned a lot from the journalists. Journalism is the fourth and most important pillar of democracy. Therefore, the role of a journalist becomes very crucial in times of crisis.

Shri Harsh Vardhan urged the Director General of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication to start a course on health journalism, so that better communicators can be prepared in the field of health. Apart from it, he wanted the IIMC to focus on making good journalists and communicators in the field of science and technology as well.

The Health Minister said the Government of India wants that all children should get good health and good food by the year 2022. And journalists have a significant role to play in this campaign. He said at one time we had dreamed of making India polio-free and the media played an important role in realising this dream. I want journalists to help turn a negative atmosphere into a positive environment even in times of this pandemic.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan said if you spent time in lockdown by staying in your homes, have maintained physical distance to prevent and spread the coronavirus infection, paid attention to cleanliness by always covering your face or wearing the mask, you too have played an important role in preventing the spread of coronavirus infection.

Earlier, speaking on the topic 'Media Trials: Good or Bad?' in the first session of the programme today, Director General of DD News and ‘Doordarshan’ Shri Mayank Agarwal said media trial depends on the direction of the journalism and what kind of journalism people wants to do. He said if there is a media trial with the basic principles of journalism, then it is good.

Managing Editor of ‘Network 18’, Shri Brajesh Singh said the Nanavati case is the first example of a media trial in India. Media trial is not just for sensation or TRP, but sometimes media trial gives a new direction to the case. ‘Associated Press’ South Asia Head Ms. Vinita Deepak said it is not right to raise the media in the name of media trial.

IIMC alumni guided the new students in the concluding session of the Orientation Programme-2020. This session of alumni was attended by ‘Aaj Tak’ News Director Shri Supriya Prasad, ‘News Nation’ Consulting Editor Shri Deepak Chaurasia, ‘Hindustan Times’ Chief Content Officer Shri Prasad Sanyal and Mrs. Nazia Nasim, the first millionaire of this season of Kaun Banega Crorepati.