Information and Cultural Affairs (ICA) minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Monday in his first interaction with the media persons on Tuesday said his department -Information, Cultural Affairs – would protect the interest of the media and work for betterment of the media community as a whole.
“There will be no partisan steps in any manner by the ICA’, he said as he interacted with the senior journalists and editors of the media at the State Guest House .
Chowdhury said, “media is the fourth pillar of democracy. The welfare activities of the government can’t be taken to the people without the media. In this process, the journalists have a major role to play.”
The ICA minister was apprised about the challenges being faced by the media persons in discharging professional duties. On behalf of the media representatives, some proposals were also placed before the ICA department.
Chowdhury said that he would take initiative to ensure transparency in distribution of press jackets to the media persons. If needed, the number of press jackets would be increased, he said.
Taking part in the discussion, chairman of Bhupen Chandra Dutta Bhowmik trust- Sanjay Paul proposed increasing the number of accreditation cards. Press Trust of India (PTI) representative Jayanta Bhattacharjee stressed on improving the quality of government press release issued from the ICA department. He also placed a proposal for issuing English press release and emphasized on preventing misuse of press stickers.
There were also demands for press releases in Kokborok language. Chowdhury said he would look into the demands and implement them at the earliest.
Secretary of ICA department P.K. Goyal, Director Ratan Biswas and others were present in the interaction programme.
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