Differentiate between sedition & anti-nationalism while expressing views: Ketkar
Journalists honoured on Devarishi Narad Jayanti
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Cautioning the society while expressing their views related to the country, Prafull Ketkar, editor Organizer reminded journalists, thinkers, spokespersons and media associates to differentiate between sedition and anti-nationalism during debates at any forum.
He emphasized that everyone has freedom of expression and can express their views, but it needs to be kept in mind not to start speaking the language of sedition in anger.
On the occasion of the birth anniversary of the world’s first journalist Devrishi Narad, the editor of Organizer Prafulla Ketkar expressed these views as a keynote speaker in a programme organized by Trikuta Samvad Kendra on Sunday in the Press Club.
Sudarshan Kumar, former Director General of Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) was present as the Chief Guest in the programme which was presided over by Dr. Satyadev Gupta, President, Trikuta Samvad Kendra.
On this occasion, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s Prant Sanghchalak Dr. Gautam Mengi, Sangh’s Prant Prachar Pramukh Deepak Sharma, Co-Provincial Publicity Chief Dr. Vivek Mahajan were also present. Rajeev Kumar Nagotra conducted the proceedings of the function.
The programme was inaugurated jointly by the Chief Guest, president and keynote speaker Prafulla Ketkar with the lighting of the lamp.
The program ended with the presentation of vote of thanks by Prant Prachar Pramukh Deepak Sharma and the song Vande Matram was sung after felicitating the journalists.
Before the launch of the programme, tribute was also paid to journalist Ashok Pehalwan who had passed away recently.
Dr. Gautam Mengi, in his address, urged the media persons to work keeping the national interest at the center while doing journalism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Prafulla Ketkar, editor of Organizer magazine, said that Devrishi Narad has been considered the icon of journalists.
His portrait was published at the time of publication of the first magazine in the country.
Devarishi Narad always provided information so that the upcoming developments would be known in entirety regardless of the consequences, he said adding that when the first film was made in the country, it was made in Marathi, the film was based on Ramayana and it also featured Devarishi Narad role.
Similarly, in the current environment, it is necessary to know about its veracity and its discourse while writing the news.
There is a need to adopt the three basic mantras of the book composed by Devarishi Narad so that the readers or the audience can be made aware of the events, he said.
Prafulla Ketkar said that as after the attack on America’s Twin Tower, not much was shown about the injured and the dead but later tributes were paid to them. But in India, terrorist attacks are often reported in such a way that everything is shown in graphic details which furthers the agenda of the terrorists.
Second, it is okay to criticize the government while reporting in TV channels, newspapers and social media, but due to freedom of expression, it needs attention as to what discussion are being presented. One must be careful about that.
Sudarshan Kumar said that at present technology presents the solutions to the challenges faced in the field of journalism.
Good journalism can be done by using technology and fake news can be avoided.
He said that now such technology has come which can make journalism more effective.
Dr. Satyadev Gupta informed the journalists regarding the significance of Narada Jayanti.
Veteran journalist Gopal Sachar was awarded Lifetime Achievement Award on this occasion.
Apart from this, State Times Head of Digital Media and Senior female journalist Malu Sharma, Sr. Editor of Times Now TV channel, Pradeep Dutta, Video Journalist Sham Sundar, Cinematographer Sanjay Gupta, Young Journalist Rajat Vohra, Dainik Jagran’s Chief Deputy Editor Sumit Sharma, Pallavi Sareen for Social Media and Sanjeev Pargal were honoured. Prafull Ketkar was presented with a picture of Mata Vaishno Devi on behalf of Trikuta Samvad Kendra.
