Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 6
In what can be termed as good news for the media fraternity in Nagaland, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today announced that the state government has recently decided to accord accreditation to 24 media persons in the state.
Inaugurating the new directorate building of Information and Public Relations at the New Capital Complex this morning, Rio said that the Accreditation Committee has recommended the provision of financial aid to a reasonable number of journalists as professional/ operational subsidy.
The Committee has also recommended Housing Colonies for journalists in Dimapur and Kohima and institution of a Journalist Welfare Fund.
“All these three recommendations are under active consideration of the government for decisions,” Rio said.
The Chief Minister also announced that the Old Directorate building is being considered to house both the DPRO Kohima and the Nagaland Press Club.
“I have given necessary instructions and the department of Information and Public Relations will act quickly to see that our press men are quite comfortable and adequately equipped with facilities,” Rio said adding that the government is also considering to provide “our journalists with necessary software so that when they are on the move, they can take down notes which can be converted quickly into pages on the computer.”
Rio said the new building of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, christened as the “IPR Citadel” does not belong exclusively to the government “but indeed dedicated in the name of the media fraternity.”
“In building a vigilant and a conscious Naga society, your service and sacrifices are memorable,” Rio complimented the media community, adding that they have always been hand in hand with the government in serving the people with information and publicity. “We want this partnership and friendship should be further strengthened,” he said.
Rio also stated that the state government has taken sincere steps to strengthen the hands of the media community.
In this ‘citadel’ itself, he said, ‘you will now have dedicated facilities like proper rooms, telephone, fax, computers, printers and other office equipments, internet etc.’
Today, he said, the country is poised to become a superpower in a decade or so. ‘Our priorities have changed. Our requirements have changed. Our vision has changed. Press in a free society like ours is the greatest teacher.’
Also stating that publication of news alone is not the mandate of a free press but it has a moral duty to shape a better society, the Chief Minister called upon the media community to contribute to the ultimate goal of educating the readers to become better citizens for a better society.
“Press must be positive in approach and must be capable of analyzing long-term negative impact of what they publish on the society. The press must become the leader of a value system and news and views are just fodder for that particular objective,” Rio said.
He called upon media community to see the government as a partner in bringing about this value system in society “that would generate both material and moral growth in the society, responsibility as a forth estate.”
Also appreciating the media fraternity for cooperating with the government in building a vigilant and intelligent society, Rio was confident that the media community will continue to help in building a better society based on correct and accurate information free from bias and prejudice even in the years to come in the service of the people.
Rio maintained that the IPR department has been doing a commendable service in providing basic and necessary information about the government’s functioning to the people at large.
“This is the only department which keeps close coordination with almost all the other departments of the state government to keep a two-way traffic of collecting and giving information both to the other departments and to the public at large,” Rio said.
Rio said that the State has traditionally and customarily believed in the freedom of individuals and in the freedom of the press as an integral part of culture and has never taken to harsh methods towards media to curb their freedom or to tame them to suit the Government’s view point. He said that the credit goes to the members of the media since they keep constant vigil to protect and exercise this traditional freedom of the Nagas
Also speaking on the occasion, minister for IPR, Kheto congratulated the concerned engineers and the contractor for completing the construction of the building in time without much cost escalation. He said that the IPR Dept. has been moving ahead with the changing times and the Dept. has already gone for modernization and computerization.
EE (Housing), Yanbemo Lotha said that the construction work of the building started in February 2005 with an estimated cost of Rs 5.37 crores. Due to widening of roads and changes in specifications, the amount was enhanced to Rs 6.94 crores.
Commissioner & Secretary, IPR, V. Sakhrie chaired the programme while vote of thanks was proposed by IPR Director Imokokba.
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