In preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, a comprehensive training camp for media personnel was held on Wednesday at Pragna Bhavan, Agartala. The training program aimed to equip journalists, reporters, and other media professionals with the essential skills and knowledge required to effectively cover the electoral process.
The camp was inaugurated by Puneet Agarwal, Chief Electoral Officer of Tripura, and saw participation from journalists and media representatives belonging to both print and electronic media outlets. The training sessions delved into various crucial aspects of election coverage, including the roles of print and electronic media, journalists’ responsibilities, adherence to a standard code of conduct, media certification, functioning of the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC), as well as technical aspects such as Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), polling procedures, and counting methodologies.
Addressing the gathering, the State Chief Electoral Officer emphasized the pivotal role of the media in ensuring free and fair elections, acknowledging its status as the fourth pillar of democracy. He urged media personnel to uphold the principles of impartiality and accuracy in their reporting, stressing the importance of disseminating true information without bias.
Additional Chief Electoral Officer Subhashish Banerjee elaborated on the significance of media in elections, emphasizing its role in facilitating communication and ensuring adherence to electoral regulations.
Bimbiswar Bhattacharjee, Director of the Information and Culture Department, provided insights into various aspects related to media coverage, including the prevention of paid news, identification of fake news, conducting opinion polls, and the issuance of accreditation cards. He also discussed the role of the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) in regulating the media landscape.
Assistant Election Officer Kamal Chowdhury provided details about the electoral infrastructure in the state, including the total number of polling stations, which stands at 3,349.
The training camp also included hands-on sessions on EVMs and VVPAT machines, allowing journalists to familiarize themselves with the voting technology.
A total of 36 journalists from both print and electronic media participated in the training camp, underscoring the significance of media readiness and preparedness in ensuring comprehensive and informed coverage of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
