Ayodhya: Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Chaudhary Bhupendra Singh said society continues to place greater trust in journalism than in politics, stressing that the responsibility of journalists has increased significantly in the digital and social media era.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the two-day National Council meeting of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the auditorium of Hanuman Bagh Ashram in Ayodhya.
Singh said the NUJ would deliberate on various issues and challenges facing journalists during the two-day meeting. He described the present period as crucial for journalism, noting that the speed and volume of information dissemination had increased enormously.
“Journalism based on facts and the effort to bring the truth to light strengthen democracy and social unity,” he said, adding that reporting based on hearsay and without factual verification could harm society.
Referring to the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Singh said journalists had played an important role during the long movement and legal battle associated with it. He said print and electronic media had extensively covered the movement and that the contribution of journalists would find a place in its history.
Singh also spoke about the transformation of Ayodhya under the leadership of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, saying the city was being developed and presented in a new form, while its traditional cultural identity was being highlighted.
He further said the BJP had publicly articulated its position on issues including the construction of the Ram temple, removal of Article 370 and a Uniform Civil Code.
Janta Dal (Secular) state president Omkar Singh, the special guest, observed that several prominent political leaders had also been journalists, citing Mahatma Gandhi, Jayaprakash Narayan and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia.
NUJ national president Suresh Sharma said the organisation was founded in 1972 on the principles of journalism and ideological struggle. He said the organisation had opposed the Emergency in 1975 and maintained that journalism continued to enjoy significant public trust.
Ayodhya MLA Ved Prakash Gupta, Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi, NUJ general secretary Triyug Narayan Tiwari and UPJ general secretary Anand Karn also addressed the inaugural session.
Uttar Pradesh Association of Journalists (UPAJ) state president Sarvesh Kumar Singh welcomed the guests, while Ayodhya UPAJ president Prof Krishna Murari Singh proposed the vote of thanks. Vivekanand Pandey conducted the programme.
Around 200 delegates from 22 states are participating in the NUJ National Council meeting, which will continue for two days.
