STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, Press Club of Jammu (PCJ) on Tuesday adopted a unanimous resolution seeking free movement of journalists hailing from South Asian region to the neighbouring countries including Pakistan and PoK for various reporting assignments.
It is for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir that such a resolution has been adopted unanimously by the media fraternity.
On the occasion, Speaker of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was the Chief Guest and Vice Chancellor of Central University, Jammu, Dr Ashok Aima was the Guest of Honour.
Dr Ashok Aima said that those youngsters who are adopting journalism as their profession, should take it as passion, but not just to earn money.
Former Director Information, K.B Jandial said that there is freedom for journalists to express their views, but media also should take special care of it as they cannot malign image of an individual/organisation.
President of Press Club of Jammu, Ashwani Kumar proposed if journalists from neighboring countries in South Asian region are allowed to converge freely under one roof it will help bridge the divide between the countries. He said the SAARC countries share a bond with each other and to further improve ties it is imperative for all the countries to take one step forward to forge cultural unity among the people by encouraging more people to people contact and promoting cultural integration adding the SAARC countries should model themselves on the pattern of European Union and declare the man made boundaries as irrelevant. Time has come for these nations to open their borders for reporters so that they can interact with cross section of people and highlight their grievances for early redressal, he added. He said that decision on visa on arrival should be taken between India and Pakistan to those accredited and working journalists who are from J and K and PoK.
Senior journalist and Assistant Director, News Doordarshan, Sanjit Khajuria said that freedom of press is required and necessary but media persons should be very particular while performing their duties.
Pawan Sharma, Bureau Head IBN-7 and Pardeep Dutta, Bureau Head of Times Now also spoke on the occasion.
M.K Bangroo, former Bureau Chief, PTI said that it was because of struggle of senior journalists that Press Club of Jammu was established and also gave vote of thanks.
The Secretary General of the Press Club of Jammu, Zorawar Singh Jamwal and Secretary (Finance), Dinesh Manhotra gave bouquet to Speaker, J and K Assembly and Dr Ashok Aima, Vice Chancellor, Central University, Jammu.
Those who were present on the occasion include Managing Committee Members Ajay Bachloo, Deepak Khajuria, Vishal Bharti, Dinesh Mahajan, Surjeet Singh and Pawan Sharma. Prabodh Jamwal, Editor, Kashmir Times, S.P Sharma, former Bureau Chief, The Tribune and other senior journalists were present on the occasion.
